Woman writes on the Covid memorial wall in London. (Source: Keystone).

⚡💪 How resilience could help us learn from systemic shocks. Resilience, according to the Geneva-Science Policy interface, is the not-so-secret ingredient needed to prevent and recover from pandemics, including Covid-19. In a report released last week, the Geneva-based platform provides solutions to system shocks that impact, health, social and economic systems. Speaking to the lead author, Geneva Solutions is let in on some of the thinking behind the reflections.

🏙️🚕 Rethink cities, beat pandemics. The United Nations agency on urban living calls on leaders to rethink how cities are shaped in order to better respond to future pandemics.The new report explores how well-planned cities combining residential and commercial with public spaces, along with affordable housing, can improve public health, the local economy and the environment. 

🤥❓Who is telling the truth? Concerns have been raised over a new World Health Organization report which was supposed to offer insight into the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic.Yet, since its release on Tuesday, the long-awaited investigation has drawn criticism for lack of transparency. However, a top Chinese medical expert says Beijing did share all Covid-19 data with WHO and that there is no factual evidence to back the lack of transparency claims.

Covid-19 supplies delivered to the airport. The shipment organised by the UN includes ventilators, coronavirus test kits, PCR machines and personal protective equipment. (World Health Organization via AP)

Yemen receives first batch of Covid vaccines. A week after Yemen’s coronavirus committee warned of a public health emergency, the country received its first shipment of Covid-19 vaccines from the Covax facility. The United Nations Children’s agency said an initial 360,000 doses of Oxford AstraZeneca has been delivered in the city of Aden which has acted as a temporary capital since the conflict started six years ago. Yemen is due to receive 1.9 million vaccines throughout 2021.

📍6 April | Reinvent & rebuild: stronger, fairer and inclusive physical activity systems. This webinar, held to celebrate the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP), will discuss the importance of physical and mental health for all as well as the challenges and opportunities presented to the sports system by Covid-19.

📍7 April | Dialogue on gender-responsive recovery post-Covid-19. Beyond the public health crisis, the pandemic has brought about an economic and social crisis, ramping up and exposing inequalities. The event aims to bring together parliaments and its members to contribute to mitigating the coronavirus' impact on women and girls.