Policy Responses and Social Solidarity Imperatives to Respond the COVID-19 Pandemic Socioeconomic Crises in Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: The study evaluated the public administration’s policy responses and imperatives of social solidarity to reduce the havoc caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has not only posed a serious health threat but also brought economic, sociocultural and psychological crises to human beings all over the world. The study was conducted to give a clear picture of the COVID-19 pandemic socioeconomic crises in Ethiopia and policy responses given as well as the imperatives of social organizations in Ethiopia to tackle these challenges. PURPOSE: This article aimed to explore the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the socio-economic activities of Ethiopia and evaluate the effectiveness and limitations of the policy response given by the public administration vis-à-vis the role of social solidarity to reduce the calamity of the pandemic. METHODS: Qualitative research approach has been used and data were analyzed using narration, description, and exploration analysis method. RESULTS: The findings of the study revealed that the policy responses given by the public administration and the solidarity of social organizations played great role in minimizing the socio-economic crises that the pandemic entailed. Policy responses had limitations and lack of appropriate institutional implementation platforms. CONCLUSION: The policy responses given by the public administration to alleviate the socio-economic crises caused by the pandemic have both success and limitations. Social organizations played a paramount role in alleviating the COVID-19 socio-economic crises on vulnerable and disadvantaged groups.