The rise of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) over the last two decades, including the current COVID-19 pandemic, has necessitated improved prevention and response strategies for such risks. The SoNAR-Global initiative has been awarded EUR 4.3 million European Commission research funds; this global consortium is led by social scientists specialising in EIDs and AMR. The research conducted in Malta is led by Prof. Jean-Paul Baldacchino, Head of Department of Anthropological Sciences at the University of Malta.

On 1 November, the local partners who contributed to this study, including social organisations and authorities working amongst vulnerable groups from both the private sector as well as government entities and NGOs attended the Memorandum of Understanding signing at the University of Malta. These include Housing Authority, CareMalta, Mental health services, Fondazzjoni Sebh, Blue door, Allied Rainbow Community and Richmond foundation.

The aim is to develop a global think tank of scholars working on applying insights from social science to health science with a focus on infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance. Part of this study involves the implementation of a vulnerability assessment tool across a variety of sites within Europe and beyond. Through this study, we are seeking to identify the contextual characteristics of vulnerability particular to the Maltese context, as well as to inform policies for countering the risks people face in this regard. This tool will help gather in-depth data on resilience as well as new and emerging vulnerabilities at an unprecedented international scale while allowing us to gather insight on important localisation factors.

The research in Malta involved approximately 120 in-depth interviews with individuals, from all kinds of backgrounds, who have been impacted by the current pandemic, whether this is in terms of their overall health and well-being, or their financial and social well-being.

Prof Baldacchino stressed that COVID-19 has brought to light the urgent need to consider vulnerability not simply from bio-medical terms but also from a broader social and cultural lens. He continued by saying “This makes the research being carried out in Malta not only fundamental in informing local social policy but indeed instrumental in developing solutions that inform European Policy initiatives. This research represents an innovative approach not simply by combining anthropological methods to inform mental health and social policy in Malta but also because it represents a key collaboration between research at the University and a diversity of social partners' The Memorandum of understanding being signed today serves as a solid basis and a commitment to work together with the community.”

The University rector expressed his gratitude by saying “This agreement is part of the University’s support system which it needs to keep moving forward in the undergoing vulnerability research. We are glad to be contributing towards the greater good of society with the knowledge and expertise of our researchers combined with the accessibility of data from our present partnerships. We look forward to generating positive results in understanding these vulnerabilities, especially amongst our students.”

The Department of Anthropological Sciences at the University of Malta is one of the 15 global partners involved in ethnographic data collection and analysis as part of the project’s Vulnerability Assessment in relation to Covid-19. Fellow partners include a variety of Universities and Research Institutes led by the Istitut Pasteur in France and University College London. 

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 825671. More information about the activities of the SoNAR-Global project can be found on the website. Follow for more on Twitter