Information on Coronavirus (COVID-19) for NGOs

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a critical challenge for Bond members and UK NGOs working in the UK and overseas.

As COVID-19 continues spreading worldwide, we’re gathering credible information and resources to help you decide what steps your organisations should take to stay safe.

We are also asking Bond members to share knowledge and information particular to international development, peacebuilding and humanitarian response.

This page aims to cut through the misinformation and signpost you to material to support your organisation’s operations, programmes, staff and volunteers. If there is a resource that you would like to see on this page, please send information and the link to: [email protected]

General information

UK government’s address to the nation on the 23rd March outlines the new measures for the country stating that people would only be allowed outside to buy food or medication, exercise alone once a day, or to travel to work if absolutely necessary.
Public Health England – up to date list of all guidance for organisations on coronavirus, including stay at home, decontamination of non-healthcare settings, advice for employers.
NHS 111 Coronavirus advice for UK citizens
UK government action plan detailing the stages of the government response and implications for UK citizens and organisations.
UK government announced the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme allowing employers to claim a grant of up to 80% of staff wages for all employment costs, up to a cap of ?2,500 per month.
World Health Organization (WHO) summary page with latest advice.

Guidance for UK NGOs

Information and sources of advice from NCVO for non-profit managers and trustees of charities in England.
Information from the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) for charities in Scotland.
Information from the Welsh Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) for Welsh charities, including advice from Public Health Wales.
Information and sources of advice from the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA), including advice from the Northern Ireland Public Health.
Small Charities Coalition will be issuing a weekly update on their website, and are working with Charity Finance Group to push for emergency funding. They are asking small charities to contact them with questions to [email protected].
Good Finance have launched a COVID-19 Resource Hub for Charities & Social Enterprises. This page contains information, resources and tools designed to support charities and social enterprises navigating COVID-19.

What Bond is doing

Bond will keep members updated on the latest information through this page and through the working groups structure.

In the last week we have seen the groups start to mobilise their members; such as the Disability and Development Group who are activating to support their members, making resources available to all.
Bond staff and members have reached out to DFID, our members and our peer networks in the UK and internationally, and we have issued a survey for members to collect data on the impact on our members.
Bond’s Training team has been working hard to take our training courses online.
Next week (Tuesday 24th March) Bond member CEOs have been invited to a call with our own Chief Executive and we will be sharing the results of the survey, as well as initiating other actions to support the network.
We stand in solidarity with our members and their partners across the international development, human rights, peace-building and humanitarian spheres.

Funding and finance information for UK charities

DFID have updated their guidance on coronavirus for implementing partners with contracts, MOUs and accountable grants and set up a contact email for questions: [email protected]
Charity Finance Group have published an update on their meeting with the Minister for Civil Society; their call for an emergency fund for charities; and advice for charities on community events and public fundraising.
CFG also have a summary of advice on charity finances, including business continuity planning, investments and cash flow.
The Charity Commission have issued guidance for charities whose operations are impacted by coronavirus. Guidance has been issued on filing annual returns, holding AGMs, operating remotely as a trustee Board and reporting serious incidents. They also have a telephone helpline: 0300 066 9197 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) for charities who have an imminent annual return and accounts filing deadline.
The London Funders announced a new ?2m emergency support fund to help communities and voluntary organisations and have released a joint statement announcing increased flexibility in their grants. Signatories include Comic Relief, Esmee Fairbarn, Joseph Rowntree, Lloyds Bank Foundation and others.
The Association of Charitable Foundations (ACF) have outlined 5 key ways foundations are responding to COVID-19.
SCVO’s The Third Sector Resilience Fund (TSRF) was announced on 18 March 2020 by Communities Minister Aileen Campbell as part of a ?350m support package for the sector as a response to the Coronavirus pandemic (see the Chief Executive Anna Fowlie’s response).
A growing number of US funders pledge greater flexibility No-Business-as- Usual.
Crowdfunder is making it 100% free for community and charity crowdfunding projects during the crisis.

People and HR information for UK charities

The Chartered Institute for Institute for Personnel and Development: comprehensive employer response guide; This also includes a collection of downloadable resources including a checklist on managing coronavirus; business continuity plan; pandemic emergency plan; controlling infectious diseases in the workplace policy and employee letter template on absence and pay.
ACAS: information on good practice for UK employers, including sick pay and coping with illness occuring in the workplace.
ACEVO (Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations) has been working in partnership with other membership and infrastructure bodies to represent your interests, including advocating for financial support to help charities weather this crisis.
In partnership with HR and employment law specialists, Croner, are holding a webinar addressing Covid-19 from an HR perspective on the 26th March from 14.30-15.30.

Operational advice for international development and humanitarian organisations

International Development, humanitarian and human rights

Age International guidance supporting and protecting older people in low and middle income countries.
Amref launched COVID 19 Africa Information Centre a one-stop hub that brings together the latest data on confirmed coronavirus cases and free downloadable resources for community sensitisation.
International Development Alliance have launched the page COVID and the disability movement with the aim to support a disability-inclusive response to the crisis and share the most recent updates and resources as they become available.
Development Initiatives released a blog on Lessons from coronavirus for the future of “aid“.