In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, SPRI Global supported UNICEF Viet Nam on drafting a “Synthesis Policy Brief on the Social Impact of COVID-19 on Children and their Families in Viet Nam”.

The secondary impact of COVID-19 and related control measures on children include – school closures, burden on local health systems for the delivery of primary care, protection risks and economic pressures, among others. Since then, UNICEF Viet Nam has initiated a number of rapid assessments including on the overall social and economic impact, social protection needs, needs among children in residential care settings, online and off-line learning and access to health, nutrition and WASH services.

The purpose of this assignment was to 1) develop Synthesis Policy Brief on Social Impact of COVID-19 on Children for UNICEF’s policy advocacy with the Government of Viet Nam, synthesising rapid assessment findings on the social and economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and families in Viet Nam; and 2) to review and refine the UN Joint Analysis on the Social Impact of COVID-19 to inform collective policy advocacy. The team conceptualised and drafted an advocacy paper, Investing in Human Capital as the priority for realising economic growth in Viet Nam, to support UNICEF’s contribution to the 2020 Public Finance Forum.

The synthesis policy brief is covered the follow key questions:

• Who are the most vulnerable groups due to the social impacts of COVID-19?
• What are social challenges and issues posed by COVID-19 based on latest evidence?
• What are medium and long-term policy recommendations to the Government of Viet Nam, particularly on integrated social and economic development, safeguarding investment in essential social services (particularly those for children), preparedness for future crises?

The policy brief and papers will be used to inform UNICEF and UN’s advocacy with the Government of Viet Nam and partners to strengthen policies and safeguard investments to deliver services to the most vulnerable groups. The documents is envisaged to contribute to the development of GoV-UNICEF Country Programme Document 2021-2026 as well as Common Country Assessment for the One UN Strategic Plan.