Panos launches online platform to monitor COVID-19 response

Lusaka, 11 January 2021: Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSAf) has launched an online platform for social accountability to facilitate citizens’ monitoring of and demand for accountability in the COVID-19 response.

Accessible through www.socaccplatform.org, this Platform for Social Accountability is part of the Amplifying citizens’ voices for accountability in the COVID-19 response in Zambia project that PSAf is implementing through funding from the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA). The 8 month project is using different tools and approaches to amplify voices of poor and marginalised citizens, building their agency to demand for accountability and transparency in the implementation of measures meant to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The platform for social accountability has been developed specifically to facilitate the speedy flow of information from citizens to decision makers, including those involved in the COVID-19 response. Through the platform, citizens are able to directly post their submissions, access information on different stakeholders involved in the response, or to send SMS to the different monitoring categories of Corruption, Human Rights Violations, non-availability of or misappropriation of funds, PPEs, testing and treatment (including vaccine). Citizens wishing to submit a report can visit https://socaccplatform.org/submit-report and enter the required details. Those who may not be able to access or submit on the platform can send SMS to 8050.

The platform is part of Panos and OSISA’s ongoing efforts to build citizens’ capacity and agency to demand for accountability and transparency in the COVID-19 response, facilitate citizens’ engagement with different stakeholders, including decision makers, involved in the COVID-19 response, and to influence responsive actions to address gaps in the COVID-19 response.

 

Issued by:

Nervious Siantombo, Programmes Manager

Email: nervious@panos.org.zm.