UN launches COVID-19 response plan for Pacific

Geneva: The United Nations has launched a COVID-19 response plan for 14 countries and territories in the Pacific suffering the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

The plan, which requires US$35.3 million (FJ$79.5m), addresses immediate needs in education, food security, livelihoods, water and sanitation, nutrition, protection, logistics, as well as emergency telecommunications, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, on Friday.

“Although existing UN resources have been redirected toward the pandemic response, there is still a US$19m (FJ$ 42.8m) funding gap,” Mr Dujarric said.

While some Pacific countries have no confirmed cases of the virus, their economies are already deeply impacted, with a massive contraction of income from tourism, foreign trade, and overseas remittances, he said.

“The governments, the UN, as well as all of our partners, are focusing on a speedy recovery that protects the most vulnerable, especially women and children, as well as jobs and small businesses,” he said.