This page brings together information and guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations regarding the current outbreak of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) that was first reported in Wuhan, China, on 31 December 2019. Please visit this page for daily updates. WHO is working closely with global experts, governments and partners to rapidly expand scientific knowledge on this new virus, to track the spread and virulence of the virus, and to provide advice to countries and individuals on measures to protect health and prevent the spread of this outbreak.
Coronavirus global health emergency: Coverage from UN News
COVID-19: UN agencies warn against rising hunger in Latin America and the Caribbean
The number of people in Latin America and the Caribbean living in extreme poverty could surpass 83 million this year due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a significant rise in hunger, according to a UN report released on Tuesday.
Trade in many developing countries projected to ‘nosedive’, warns UNCTAD
Trade in many developing countries is expected to take a “nosedive” in the second quarter of 2020, owing to the unprecedented effects of the coronavirus pandemic, UN economists said on Tuesday.
Syrian refugees resort to ever more desperate measures to resist pandemic impact
The COVID-19 crisis has caused a dramatic spike in the number of Syrian refugees in need of emergency assistance in the last three months, UN humanitarians said on Tuesday, in an appeal for funding to confront new challenges posed by the health emergency.
COVID-19: Preparations for southern flu season must be a priority: WHO’s Tedros
Despite the ongoing global response to COVID-19, the world cannot lose sight of the significant public health risk posed by influenza, which affects every country every year and takes its own deadly toll, World Health Organization (WHO) Director General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said on Monday.
Health experts concerned about indirect effects of COVID-19 on women and youth
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to escalate, the World Health Organization (WHO) is concerned about its impact on women, children and young people.
Amidst COVID-19 challenges, UN ‘remains operational’ across Central Africa
The coronavirus pandemic has compounded increasing economic, social and humanitarian challenges facing States and regional institutions across Central Africa, the regional UN envoy told the Security Council on Friday.
20 years of gains in combating child labour at risk from COVID-19, warns ILO
If you had to guess at how many children are involved in forced labour round the world, does 152 million sound about right? And what if we told you that this is actually an improvement on the number of youngsters working illegally 20 years ago?
Today, these gains are at risk, as the devastating economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis affects millions of families already on the poverty line, the International Labour Organization (ILO) has warned.
Funding shortfall affecting critical water, sanitation services in Yemen
Children in the heart of the world’s worst humanitarian disaster need help more than ever, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Friday, in an appeal for more support to provide basic services in Yemen.
Child labour gains since 2000 ‘could be wiped out by COVID’, UN warns
Huge gains made towards ending child labour over the last 20 years, risk being reversed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the UN said on Friday, in an appeal for governments to continue investing in measures that have helped reduce the number of youngsters working, by 94 million, since 2000.
What does ‘build back better’ really mean? One of the world’s top CEOs give us his take
UN chief António Guterres, has warned of an “unparalleled economic shock”, as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. So, going forward, can the private sector “build back better” to reorder the post-pandemic world, or, might the UN’s vision of a sustainable future be relegated to a low-priority aspiration? We put these questions to the CEO of one of the world’s largest conglomerates, who is working with the Organization, towards a better future.