Since the beginning of the pandemic, philanthropists and private foundations have invested their resources to control the Covid-19 epidemic and ameliorate its impacts. The reactions have varied from admiration for the ‘generosity’ and social commitment of the planet’s richest to criticisms of their being part and parcel of the same economic system that is creating unprecedented inequities.

Foundations have long played a role in the prevention and control of emerging diseases. Some of those working in East and Southeast Asia have identified the risks associated with zoonotic infections, including from the same coronavirus family, early on.

Gradually, however, funding initiatives declined in value and intensity due to several factors. There was a general reduction in international aid and, above all, a retrenchment from the social sector in favour of economic, infrastructure and technological investments.

This decline was clearly felt in Southeast Asia, now regarded as ready to ‘graduate’ from aid – growing inequities and unresolved development challenges notwithstanding. Some donors decided, sometimes hastily, that the desired goals had been achieved. A number of foundations left the area and those who stayed embraced a more technocratic agenda less responsive to local contexts and organisations. Program interaction with China was also reduced, owing to polarised views, more restrictive rules for overseas foundations and awe for the growing number of Chinese foundations.

Covid-19 arrives thus in the midst of an unfinished agenda and makes the promising investments of the early 2000s look like a missed opportunity. Despite the popularity of conspiracy theories, the emergence of a new strain of coronavirus linked to wild game in China is no surprise. For international philanthropy and aid, it may be worth reflecting on why we made ourselves unprepared and draw lessons to address today’s pandemic.

Read the full article about funding in Southeast Asia by Rosalia Sciortino at Alliance Magazine.