How can Young People work with their Governments and civil society organizations

to respond to the impact of COVID-19 and build a stronger post-pandemic economic

and social system?

In this short essay I will explore how young people work with their government and civil society to
respond to the impact of Covid-19 and strengthen the post-pandemic economic and social system in
Ethiopia.

Since we first heard about the incidence of Covid-19 in China, the entire world has been dramatically
changed in many aspects. Nations forced to stay at home with complete or partial lockdown. Even
though the virus has reached Ethiopia in late March 2020, its effect is almost similar compared to others
despite levels of capacity to take appropriate protective measures.

The effects of COVID-19 have multiple impacts on societies. While young people are the vulnerable
groups of societies in my City, they also are a strong agent to averse the spread of covid-19 working with
local government and civil society. There are various mechanisms for young people to work with
government and civil societies to respond for the effects of the virus.

First, young people would engage in volunteer works among their community. Reports show that
participation of young people in the protection process of Covid-19 not only helps the government to
protect the virus but also build strong post-covid-19 economy. In a District where I live, more than 120
young boys and girls organized themselves and participated in creating awareness on the transmission
and protection methods of the virus.

Second, young people also do have opportunities to work with their government and civil societies in
the areas of their fields of studies. As schools and universities shutdown, social engagement benefits
both young people and the institutions. In this regard, health professionals and artists contributed a lot
in the campaign of virus protection.

Third, employed young people who already gained chances to work with government and NGOs have
opportunities to respond to the impact of the virus. As I heard from the national TV of Ethiopia, young
people in various rural and urban areas have been actively engaged in activities such as distribution and
management of Covid-19 protective equipments on the standards set by the WHO. Some young people
also participated in investigation of crimes on sexual abuse and rape.

Fourth, young people have also great opportunity to engage themselves in innovative activities that in
turn help to strengthen the post-pandemic economic and social status. I heard from local media reports
that many young people created machines that in turn have contribution in process of protecting the
spread of covid-19. For instance, a group of young people created hand washing machine that enable
people to operate without touch. In addition, one young people made a machine that measures the
degree of temperature of individuals by sensing.

In conclusion, young people have opportunities to engage with their government and civil societies in
order to respond to covid-19 crisis and build post-pandemic economy and social status.

Regards,

Bamlak Teshome Mengesha

1 | BAMLAK TESHOME MENGESHA, ETHIOPIA, +251924003310, bamlaktm2001@gmail.com

2 | BAMLAK TESHOME MENGESHA, ETHIOPIA, +251924003310, bamlaktm2001@gmail.com