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© UNICEF/Giovanni Diffidenti

COVID-19: The ‘common enemy’ that can bring the world together

The COVID-19 pandemic shows that global challenges can only be solved through global solutions, according to the head of the UN Office in Geneva.

Director-General Tatiana Valovaya has underlined the critical need for solidarity as countries battle what she described as a “common enemy”.

Ms. Valovaya spoke to Michele Zaccheo about why the pandemic could provide a jolt that will make countries work together more effectively in the future.

Audio
7'44"
IAEA/FAO

Going nuclear to beat COVID-19: UN scientists join quest for lifesaving vaccine

Here’s a job you don’t see advertised every day: irradiating the COVID-19 virus.

It’s just one of the extraordinary tasks on the to-do list right now of Gerrit Verjoen  from the International Atomic Energy Agency, who is doing whatever he can, to help countries overcome the deadly pathogen.

In an interview with UN News’s Daniel Johnson, he shares his assessment of the new coronavirus and explains how nuclear-derived techniques could save hospitals precious time, when treating sick patients.

Audio Duration
5'58"
UN India

Coronavirus could see global unemployment rise by 25 million: ILO in India

A new assessment by the International Labour Organization (ILO) shows the COVID-19 pandemic could increase global unemployment by around 25 million.

ILO is calling for an internationally coordinated policy response, which would be of particular benefit to South Asian countries like India, since a large part of its work force lacks social security and employment benefits.

UN News’s Anshu Sharma spoke to the Director of ILO’s Decent Work Team for South Asia based in the UN’s India office, Dagmar Walter.

Audio
4'20"
© UNICEF/Özgür Ölçer

Online border observatory launches in bid to keep key medical and food supplies moving

As countries all over the world restrict the flow of goods to halt the spread of the COVID-19 virus, one UN agency has come up with a plan to keep vital food and medical supplies on the move. 

The UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), has just launched an online Observatory on Border Crossings all over the world. I can be used by transport companies to keep goods flowing as smoothly as possible as UNECE’s Jean Rodriguez tells Daniel Johnson. 

Audio
7'42"
Hazem Balousha

COVID-19 in Gaza: UN putting supplies in place, working with Israel 

The UN in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza is doing all it can to put supplies in place, including testing kits, in preparation for the expected rise in COVID-19 Coronavirus cases over the coming days. 

Jamie McGoldrick, UN Development and Humanitarian Coordinator covering Palestine, said in an interview with UN News that his office and the Palestine refugee relief agency, UNRWA, were working closely with Israeli authorities which control access to Gaza, in what’s been a “very positive collaboration” so far, along with Palestinian authorities. 

Audio
10'35"
OCHA/Vincent Tremeau

In the face of COVID-19, refugees ‘must be involved in prevention’

Faced with the COVID-19 pandemic, UN agencies have raced to ensure that millions of vulnerable people continue to receive the emergency support that they need.

In an interview with UN News’s Daniel Johnson, Cécile Pouilly from the UN refugee agency UNHCR outlines some of the many challenges created by the virus – and why it’s crucial that refugees are involved in fighting the virus too.

Audio
6'1"
IOM/Emrah Özesen

‘Societies are healthier if everybody's healthier’: IOM spokesperson

The UN migration agency, IOM, is highly concerned about the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic is having on migrants.

In an interview with UN News, spokesperson Joel Millman said that many migrants work in the food industry, highly affected by the closures of restaurants and cafes.

Mr. Millman started by insisting that the stigmatization of migrants must be avoided.
 

Audio
10'42"
© UNICEF/Luisa Brumana

Still ‘early days’ to assess COVID-19 impact on children: UNICEF 

Shortly after the outbreak of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19), UNICEF was among the first United Nations agencies to step up and deliver much-needed medical supplies including masks to China.  

UN News spoke to Ms. Luwei Pearson, Acting Director of UNICEF’s Health Programme Division, about the agency’s quick response to the outbreak, and other issues including the possible physical and mental impact on millions of children faced with school closures.  

UN News’s Maoqi Li spoke to Ms. Luwei Pearson, via skype.  

 

  

Audio
14'21"
WHO Graphics

China has demonstrated COVID-19 course can be altered - WHO

A decline in COVID-19 cases in China demonstrates that containment efforts can help alter the course of the pandemic. 

That’s the opinion of Dr. Gauden Galea, the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in the country. 

COVID-19 first emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019.  Last week, WHO announced it could be characterized as a pandemic. 

Audio
9'28"
Yingshi Zhang

Chinese hospitals in worst-hit region receive medical ventilators for critical patients 

The largest humanitarian agency on the planet, the UN World Food Programme, or WFP, has sent lifesaving medical equipment to China to help treat COVID-19 sufferers in the worst-hit area of the country. 

WHO has shipped almost 1.5 million tests to 120 countries, which are working with companies to increase the availability of tests for those most in need. 

In an interview with Daniel Johnson from UN News, WFP spokesperson Elisabeth Byrs gives an update on key priorities. 

Audio
3'49"