| Abstrakt: |
The current crisis (COVID-19) is the recent pandemic to hit all countries in the world. The crisis this time is certainly different, as it is an event suddenly emerging from the health sector, and spreading throughout the entire world, irrespective of geography and social structure. It is threatening all of mankind. Households who lose their income directly or indirectly because of containment measures will need government support. This requires the formulation of policies to address such a crisis and pandemic. In many parts of the world, leaders are forced to take extreme measures like declaration of a national emergency, leading to lockdown of all activities except essential services, apart from social distancing. If policy space is not created at the earliest opportunity, responding to the crisis may be difficult. A crisis like this one is affecting rural and urban areas and can simultaneously take over large metropolitans and small urban centres. It can cause devastation in neighbourhoods as well as in all districts, and can spread over the most diverse geographies. The participation of local governments in combating the crisis seems natural and uncontrolversial as a sphere closer to communities. This paper investigates the role of local governance in crisis-stricken areas, through a qualitative approach by analysing and synthesising literature in terms of a desktop study methodology. Local governments are the best positioned to address crises because of their proximity, legitimacy, and durable presence in their communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
