FROM THE FIELD: Humanitarians on the frontline in COVID-19 fight

UNOCHA

At the Islam Qala, Afghanistan border with Iran, health workers are on the frontline responding to the threat caused by COVID-19.

FROM THE FIELD: Humanitarians on the frontline in COVID-19 fight

31 March 2020 Health

Humanitarian workers in developing countries are on the front lines and taking “urgent action” in the fight against the spread of the deadly new coronavirus, COVID-19, according to the United Nations.

Children at a primary school in Jordan take part in a handwashing demonstration., by ©UNICEF/Jordi Matas

The UN’s humanitarian office, OCHA, says health systems of the world’s poorest nations are expected to be put under enormous pressure if the virus takes hold. Most countries have now reported at least one case.

OCHA says many of the world’s most vulnerable people do not have access to clean water and soap to wash their hands, one of the most effective ways to ensure against infection.

Last week the UN launched a US$2 billion humanitarian response plan to beat back COVID-19.

Read more here about how the global humanitarian community is helping to keep people healthy and safe.

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News Tracker: Past Stories on This Issue

Economic duress has been compounding the impact of the conflict in Syria – even before the COVID-19 pandemic touched the country.

‘Immediate nationwide ceasefire’ needed for all-out effort to counter COVID-19 in Syria

30 March 2020

Peace and Security

Syria is at “high risk” of being unable to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, the UN Special Envoy for the country said on Monday, reiterating calls for a “complete, immediate nationwide ceasefire” to enable an all-out-effort to counter the march of the new coronavirus.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres launches a COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan with Under- Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock, WHO Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore.

UN launches major humanitarian appeal to keep COVID-19 from ‘circling back around the globe’

25 March 2020

Humanitarian Aid

To confront the unprecedented worldwide challenge posed by the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic, top UN officials on Wednesday, launched a massive humanitarian appeal to mitigate its impact, particularly on fragile countries with weak health systems.