In a bid to combat the spread of Coronavirus effectively, a collaborative of organisations and networks representing the public, private, civil society, academic and other sectors have joined hands to form the #COVIDActionCollab (CAC).

The purpose is to support various stakeholders - civil society, private sector, academics, networks, foundations and governments, to rapidly and cost-effectively: 1. Prevent new infections, 2. Diagnose early, 3. Treat appropriately and with care, and 4. Mitigate negative impacts on livelihoods, well-being.

The Catalyst Group, a 26-year-old social impact platform, ideated collaborative. The Governing Council for the CAC has 11 eminent members who steer and guide the collaborative.

Speaking on the strategy adopted by the Collaborative, Shiv Kumar, Co-founder, Catalyst Group said, “The Collaborative is driven by three strategies: Deliver high impact package of services to key communities (12.5 million), where the collaborative members have a direct presence or reach, complementing the government; Setup and operate an information exchange and build capacities of key partners and actors; Solve critical challenges which can have a high impact on response with solutions such as competent resource estimation, nuanced telehealth and tele-counselling networks, infrastructure for community surveillance and more.”

The Collab includes 150+ organisations, reaching over 12.5 million+ people including the poorest, vulnerable and marginalised across 16 States and 100 districts in India. The Collab is also expanding to other countries like Nigeria, Tanzania on request. Over 20 unique tools, protocols and frameworks have been developed for COVID response and socialised. Several Social Protection Schemes / Programmes have been actioned on the ground through helpdesks.

Further elaborating on the aim of the COVIDActionCollab,Shama Karkal, CEO, Swasti stated,"The collaborative is driven by the belief that by pooling expertise and resources, it can address the problem of COVID and use this opportunity to make the world a better place. The team is undertaking comprehensive and coordinated action, with poor, marginalized and vulnerable people and their communities at the very centre of the response."