TY - JOUR
T1 - Civil society responses to the COVID-19 pandemic
T2 - A comparative study of China, Japan, and South Korea
AU - Cai, Qihai
AU - Okada, Aya
AU - Jeong, Bok Gyo
AU - Kim, Sung Ju
N1 - Funding Information:
Last, the civil society sector promoted public awareness of marginalized groups. Since the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionally impacts different societal groups, vulnerable, high-risk groups have required extra support. Several foundations noticed the vulnerability of frontline workers. ey set up special programs to raise public awareness and provide financial assistance for groups, including medical workers, sanitation workers, and volunteers. For example, the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation implemented an assistance program for sanitation workers.30 Frontline workers infected by the coronavirus are eligible to apply for financial support. Another social problem exacerbated by COVID-19 is education inequality caused by the digital divide. Due to stay-at-home orders, many schools switched to online teaching. e lack of facilities (e.g., computers and smartphones) hindered impoverished students from accessing online courses. Responding to this call, the Alipay Foundation and Adream Foundation initiated the “Smart Learning” program.31 is program advocated for the donation of used phones and electronic devices and raised the money from recycling these items to purchase learning equipment for impoverished students.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021, Chinese University Press. All rights reserved.
PY - 2021/2
Y1 - 2021/2
N2 - This study examines whether nonstate actors can enhance social resilience to cope with extreme events by examining and comparing civil society’s responses to COVID-19 in China, Japan, and South Korea. The research has found that the civil society sector in each of these three countries played essential roles in combating the pandemic, either by reinforcing government-led efforts or by filling the institutional voids left by the government. Civil society actors in these countries have contributed to social resilience by donating money and medical supplies, providing imperative social services, disseminating needed information, and advocating for marginalized groups in society. This study provides timely information on how resources were mobilized by civil society to respond to COVID-19. Additionally, it shows how institutions in different countries have shaped civil society actors’ distinctive actions in the fight against COVID-19.
AB - This study examines whether nonstate actors can enhance social resilience to cope with extreme events by examining and comparing civil society’s responses to COVID-19 in China, Japan, and South Korea. The research has found that the civil society sector in each of these three countries played essential roles in combating the pandemic, either by reinforcing government-led efforts or by filling the institutional voids left by the government. Civil society actors in these countries have contributed to social resilience by donating money and medical supplies, providing imperative social services, disseminating needed information, and advocating for marginalized groups in society. This study provides timely information on how resources were mobilized by civil society to respond to COVID-19. Additionally, it shows how institutions in different countries have shaped civil society actors’ distinctive actions in the fight against COVID-19.
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M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85102781832
SN - 1680-2012
VL - 21
SP - 107
EP - 137
JO - China Review
JF - China Review
IS - 1
ER -