Paper short abstract:

The double jeopardy of being disadvantaged and faced with a pandemic in slums will be examined. The effectiveness of adhoc interventions will be highlighted against the need for the establishment of a more grounded social safety net for the most vulnerable persons in Lagos Slums

Paper long abstract:

This paper sets out to present facts about the lived experiences of vulnerable peoples in four of the most precarious urban slums in Lagos Nigeria. The NGO, Together for Needs Initiative conducted intervention projects during the COVID 19 pandemic and qualitatively assessed the ways in which the pandemic aggravated multidimensional poverty among residents, particularly the most vulnerable groups. The Organisation through this paper will present the approach towards interventions, the outcome, failures and lessons learnt which are integral for future interventions most suited to closing the gap in vulnerability and strengthening inclusive development. The perception of these groups towards the pandemic as well as corresponding preventive behavioral changes is examined against the practical possibility of adherence based on available amenities. Lastly, the organisation gives suggestions towards effective social protection nets for the most vulnerable in economic and public health crises.