The COVID-19 pandemic has affected ICH in various ways. Thus, interest in understanding specific influences and emergency responses to safeguard ICH from the ongoing crisis is growing. This project investigates the situation of practice, transmission, and safeguarding of ICH amid the COVID-19 pandemic by implementing case studies in various countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Focusing on various changes that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, the project will demonstrate the flexibility and adaptability of ICH and related communities, while accumulating the knowledge to make provision for future pandemics by documenting the specific details of ICH and its transition.

In FY 2021, a preparatory questionnaire survey was implemented in cooperation with research institutes and researchers from nine countries, namely, Bangladesh, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and Papua New Guinea. Based on the cases identified in the questionnaire survey, field research is carried out to explore the relationship between ICH and infectious diseases to be prepared for future pandemics.