COVID-19 and Human Security in South Asia

Abstract

Globalization on the one hand has taken the world to new heights of prosperity in the field of economy, science and technology; on the other hand it has created a divide in every field among the nations. But it treats equally to every nation whether it is developed or poor in terms of the spread of disease. Today the spread of Corona virus has made it clear that nature and natural disasters never discriminate. With the spread of this virus, it also became clear that the power of a nation cannot be judged by its treasure of arms or weapons. Arms and weapons were helpful when the threats to security were traditional and generally came in the form of attacks from other countries. But these are not helpful in fighting against the non-tradition security challenges to human security. These expensive weapons laze idle while hospitals struggle with the lack of ventilators, doctors, masks and medicines. The term “Human Security” was coined after the end of cold war with an imagination that now the countries would start thinking about the securities of the peoples living within. This security lies in reducing poverty, providing opportunity in growth and development, access to education, sound and reasonable health care system, nutritious food, clean water to drink, safe environment and human rights. There is a dire need to re-think and implement this concept especially in the developing and less developed countries of South Asia, Africa and Latin America. This paper examines the humanitarian consequences of Covid-19 on the people of South Asia. This also analyzes that how the governments of the regions are tackling these effects and what measures should be taken to avoid such situation in future.