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<p>The UK is pursuing a strong and co-ordinated global response to COVID-19, particularly
for the most vulnerable countries. We recognise the risk that responses to the pandemic
in some contexts may include politicisation, exploitation and securitisation, which
may risk fuelling grievances, triggering violent instability, dividing societies and
emboldening conflict actors.</p><p>The UK is taking steps to ensure that both our
immediate responses to COVID-19 and long-term recovery efforts do not exacerbate conflict
and instead help to build peace, improve governance and strengthen social cohesion.
We are encouraging our implementing partners to demonstrate accountability, strengthen
local owner- and leadership and adopt inclusive, conflict sensitive approaches. We
are also working with partners, governments, media providers, civil society and local
leaders to counter misinformation. DFID and the FCO are working together to encourage
state and security responses that are transparent, proportionate, fair and promote
human rights as a core part of the UK response.</p><p>We particularly recognise the
importance of working with local women’s rights and women-led organisations to deliver
more effective and safer responses. We also believe that greater engagement of local
partners ensures continuity and builds resilience and social cohesion as efforts shift
to the medium and longer term recovery.</p>
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