This brief distils best data practice recommendations through consideration of key issues involved in the use of technology for surveillance, fact-checking and coordinated control during crisis or emergency response in resource constrained urban contexts. We draw lessons from how data enabled technologies were used in urban COVID-19 response, as well as how standard implementation procedures were affected by the pandemic. Disease control is a long-standing consideration in building smart city architecture, while humanitarian actions are increasingly digitised. However, there are competing city visions being employed in COVID-19 response. This is symptomatic of a broader range of tech-based responses in other humanitarian contexts. These visions range from aspirations for technology driven, centralised and surveillance oriented urban regimes, to ‘frugal innovations’ by firms, consumers and city governments. Data ecosystems are not immune from gendered- and socio-political discrimination, and technology-based interventions can worsen existing inequalities, particularly in emergencies. Technology driven public health (PH) interventions thus raise concerns about 1) what types of technologies are appropriate, 2) whether they produce inclusive outcomes for economically and socially disadvantaged urban residents and 3) the balance between surveillance and control on one hand, and privacy and citizen autonomy on the other.

No abstract

To date, the Government of Cambodia has issued at least 2,216 policies in response to Covid-19. These have largely been directed at limiting the spread of the Covid-19 within Cambodia, with clear attempts to mitigate the burden on economically- and socially-vulnerable groups. This study explored the ways in which the policy response to Covid-19 has been experienced by vulnerable migrant workers and people vulnerable to trafficking in persons. We interviewed seven social workers and independent experts, four migrant workers, and nine survivors of trafficking in order to gather evidence about gaps in the policies’ abilities to protect people and to identify mechanisms by which they impacted vulnerability. We find that, while the policies have attempted to provide protection to vulnerable groups, the majority of our respondents were not able to access it effectively. Workers in informal sectors have been particularly impacted by work stoppages since they have less bargaining power with employers and are much less able to access government unemployment support. Migrant workers trapped abroad faced hardships and discrimination, with many making risky journeys back to Cambodia or losing their regular migrant status. Border closure policies meant that many people were not able to safely return to Cambodia or travel for their livelihoods. This resulted in an increased reliance on brokers to cross borders illegally and to attempt to find work, which in turn increased risks of exploitation and trafficking at the very time when officials and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) were least able to monitor and identify violations.

Our research shows how Vietnam’s Covid-19 policy response has influenced Vietnamese migrant workers and counter-trafficking work, particularly in border areas. Vietnam is a major labour exporter and is in the top ten countries that receive international remittances. Examining the impact of the pandemic means taking into account the livelihoods and wellbeing of hundreds of thousands of overseas migrant workers. This briefing considers the impact of Vietnam’s policy response to the Covid-19 pandemic on such workers and supports adjustments in policy planning.

No abstract