United Nations Comprehensive Response to - COVID-19: Saving Lives, Protecting Societies, Recovering Better - Situations
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United Nations
Comprehensive
Response to
COVID-19:
Saving Lives,
Protecting Societies,
Recovering Better
JUNE 2020Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY........................................................................................1
UNITED NATIONS COMPREHENSIVE RESPONSE TO COVID-19.........................7
I. THE HEALTH RESPONSE..............................................................................9
II. AFEGUARDING LIVES AND LIVELIHOODS:
S
HUMANITARIAN, HUMAN RIGHTS AND
SOCIOECONOMIC RESPONSES..................................................................14
III. ATTENTION TO HARDEST HIT COUNTRIES AND POPULATIONS.............21
IV. RECOVERING BETTER................................................................................27
V. RESOURCE MOBILIZATION........................................................................29
UNITED NATIONS COMPREHENSIVE RESPONSE TO COVID-19 iiExecutive Summary
Seventy-five years after the last world war, climate change – and toward overcoming the
the world has found itself yet again in a global severe and systemic inequalities that have
battle. This time, all of humanity is on the been so tragically exposed by the pandemic.
same side against coronavirus disease, or
COVID-19. The pandemic has swiftly taken The pandemic is more than a health crisis; it
hundreds of thousands of lives, infected mil- is an economic crisis, a humanitarian crisis, a
lions of people, upended the global economy security crisis, and a human rights crisis. It has
and caused pervasive fear for the future. affected us as individuals, as families and as
societies. The crisis has highlighted fragilities
The United Nations mobilized early and com-
within and among nations. It is no exaggera-
prehensively, leading on the global health
tion to suggest that our response will involve
response, continuing and expanding the pro-
remaking and reimagining the very structures
vision of lifesaving humanitarian assistance,
establishing instruments for rapid responses of societies and the ways in which countries
to the socio-economic impact and laying out a cooperate for the common good. Coming out
broad policy agenda for action on all fronts. It of this crisis will require a whole-of-society,
has also provided operational support to gov- whole-of-government and whole-of-the-world
ernments and other partners around the world. approach driven by compassion and solidarity.
Now, equipped with months of experience, best
practices and valuable lessons, we issue this A three-point
comprehensive overview of the UN response United Nations Response
in its entirety to date. The overview recounts
our key guidance, lessons and support so far Since the beginning of the pandemic,
the United Nations has pursued a
– and points the way to the crucial steps that
strategy based on three pillars:
must follow to save lives, protect societies
and recover better. It amounts to a recipe for 1. A large-scale, coordinated and compre-
a comprehensive response to and recovery hensive health response, guided by the
from COVID-19 that will leave no one behind World Health Organization (WHO) and the
and address the very fragilities and gaps that Strategic Preparedness and Response
made us so vulnerable to the pandemic in the Plan. As part of this response, the United
first place. It also points the way toward build- Nations is supporting efforts to accel-
ing resilience to future shocks – above all from erate work towards a COVID-19 vaccine,
1 UNITED NATIONS COMPREHENSIVE RESPONSE TO COVID-19diagnostics and treatment that are afforda- Shaping the response
ble and available to everyone, everywhere.
The UN is also establishing international Solid science, reliable data, and analysis
coordination and operational support at are critical for policy- and decision-making,
global, regional and country level, and especially for the tough choices required
supporting the scaling up of country pre- during a pandemic. The United Nations is
helping to establish the knowledge base
paredness and response operations.
by marshalling its expertise to examine the
2. A wide-ranging effort to address the dev- diverse impacts of the pandemic and offer-
astating socioeconomic, humanitarian and ing relevant information and advice.
human rights aspects of the crisis, with a
focus on saving lives, keeping vital services Policy briefs are available on:
accessible, households afloat, businesses
• Populations facing particular chal-
solvent, supply chains functioning, institu-
lenges, including children, older per-
tions strong, public services delivering and
sons, women (including as victims of
human rights at the forefront. This includes
domestic violence), persons with dis-
the immediate humanitarian response to
abilities, refugees and migrants
support the most vulnerable people in the
most vulnerable countries with life-saving • Regions facing particular challenges,
assistance through a Global Humanitarian including Africa, Arab States (forth-
Response Plan. It also includes the call coming), Latin America (forthcoming),
for a stimulus package amounting to at and South-East Asia (forthcoming)
least 10 per cent of global Gross Domestic
Product, as well as massive support to • Key Thematic Areas: women and gender
equality; mental health, human rights,
developing countries, including a debt
food security, the world of work, cities
standstill, debt restructuring and greater
(forthcoming), tourism (forthcoming),
support through the international finan-
education (forthcoming), universal health-
cial institutions. Preventing and respond-
care/preparedness (to be confirmed)
ing to the increased levels of violence
against women and girls is also critical. Additional policy briefs may be released
as appropriate.
3. A recovery process that builds back better.
Emerging from this crisis is an opportunity
to address the climate crisis, inequalities,
Supporting delivery
exclusion, gaps in social protection sys-
of the response
tems and the many other fragilities and
injustices that have been exposed. Instead The United Nations system is also convening
of going back to unsustainable systems decision-makers and mobilizing its supply
and approaches, we need to transition to chains, assets, expertise and capacities around
renewable energy, sustainable food systems, the world to support the COVID-19 response.
gender equality, stronger social safety nets,
universal health coverage and an interna- • The entire UN system has mobilized behind
tional system that can deliver consistently the WHO-led health response to distribute
and universally – with the Sustainable medical supplies; train health workers; build
Development Agenda as our guide. testing and tracing capacities; prevent spread
UNITED NATIONS COMPREHENSIVE RESPONSE TO COVID-19 2GLOBAL POLICY INITIATIVES AND
OPERATIONAL RESPONSE STRATEGIES
Secretary-General’s policy initiatives Joint operational response strategies for UN family and partners
1 - HEALTH: COVID-19 STRATEGIC PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE PLAN (SPRP)
19 Jun The World of Work and
COVID-19 Strategic objectives Partners
The Impact of COVID-19 on Rapidly establishing international 200+
9 Jun 1 coordination & operations support
Food Security and Nutrition governments, international and
non-governmental organizations,
research institutes and businesses
3 Jun COVID-19 and
People on the Move Scaling up country preparedness
2 and response operations Funding requirements
21 May Verified campaign on trusted
factual COVID-19 information $1,740m
Accelerating priority research required of which $1,022m (59%)
3 and innovation received or pledged as of June 24
20 May Impact of COVID-19 in Africa
13 May COVID-19 and the Need for
Action on Mental Health 2 - HUMANITARIAN: GLOBAL HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE PLAN (GHRP)
Strategic objectives Partners
8 May Appeal against
Hate and Xenophobia Contain the spread of the COVID-19
1 pandemic and decrease morbidity 60+
A Disability-Inclusive and mortality international and non-governmental
6 May organizations
Response to COVID-19
Decrease the deterioration of
Impact of COVID-19 on 2 human assets and rights, social Funding requirements
1 May cohesion and livelihoods
Older Persons
Protect, assist and advocate for $7,320m
COVID-19 and Human Rights: refugees, internally displaced
23 Apr 3 required of which $1,440m (19.7%)
We are all in this together people, migrants and vulnerable received or pledged as of June 24
communities
Debt and COVID-19: A Global
17 Apr
Response in Solidarity
3 - DEVELOPMENT: UN SOCIO-ECONOMIC RESPONSE FRAMEWORK
16 Apr Impact of COVID-19 on
Children Strategic objectives Partners
Protecting health services and
Impact of COVID-19 on
1 systems during the crisis 165+
9 Apr
Women national institutions in countries
2 Protecting people: Social protection and territories with UN Country
and basic service Teams
5 Apr Appeal against gender-based
violence and COVID-19 Protecting jobs, small and medium-
3 sized enterprises, informal sector Funding requirements
Shared Responsibility, Global
31 Mar Solidarity: Responding to 4
Facilitating macroeconomic re- $1,000m
socio-economic impacts sponse & multilateral collaboration
required for the first 9 months of
Supporting social cohesion and the response of which $49m (5%)
5 community resilience secured
23 Mar Appeal for Global Ceasefire
3 UNITED NATIONS COMPREHENSIVE RESPONSE TO COVID-19of the virus, particularly among especially
vulnerable populations, including in camps, LINKS TO UN AGENCIES’
prisons and detention centres; disseminate COVID-19 RESPONSES
information widely about prevention and
containment measures; and support national
UNICEF; UNDP; UNESCO; WFP; FAO; WHO;
response planning and decision-making;
UNEP; UNODC; UNFPA; UNHABITAT; UN
Women; ILO; UNHCR; IOM; IMO; ITU; IFAD;
• The Secretary-General is using his convening
UNIDO; UNWTO; UPU; WIPO; UNAIDS;
power and advocacy to mobilize world lead-
UNITAR; UNRWA; IAEA; ICAO; WB; IMF
ers on critical issues such as cooperation on
a vaccine, financing and debt relief – includ-
ing the 28 May largest gathering of world
leaders since the beginning of the pandemic; shipping, tourism, technology, food supply
and security, agriculture, and a host of other
• Peacekeeping missions are putting in policy areas impacted by the pandemic.
place a series of mitigation measures to
continue helping to protect vulnerable
communities while promoting the safety, Enabling the response
security and health of all UN personnel and
maintaining continuity of operations; The UN is mobilizing in many other ways to
address key dimensions of the emergency and to
• Humanitarian agencies already support create conditions in which all people – especially
more than 100 million people around the those in precarious situations – can be reached.
world and are placing high priority on con-
tinuing to provide life-saving help for those Global ceasefire and diplomacy: The UN
people, while also supporting the wider Secretary-General’s call for a global cease-fire,
UN system’s response to the pandemic; issued on 23 March, urges warring parties in all
corners of the world to pull back from hostili-
• UN development system framework: The ties. The appeal has resonated widely and been
UN system is assisting countries in five endorsed by nearly 180 Member States, over 20
main areas: health services; social protec- armed movements and other entities, diverse
tion; jobs; fiscal and financial stimulus; and regional organizations, religious leaders, NGOs
social cohesion and community resilience. and more than 800 civil society organizations.
Environmental sustainability is a thread UN Special Representatives and Envoys continue
running through these workstreams. their efforts to overcome spoilers to translate
stated intentions into durable ceasefires. On
• UN country teams have mobilized to sup-
5 April, noting that violence was not confined
port a decisive and coherent response to
to the battlefield, the Secretary-General also
the pandemic working with governments,
issued a global call emphasizing the need for
IFIs and other partners in undertaking
an end to all violence against women every-
rapid socio-economic impact assess-
where, including in the home. The call was
ments and implementing rapid solutions
positively received, including by 146 Member
under a ‘development emergency’ mode;
States who responded to the call and commit-
• UN agencies are supporting governments and ted to including prevention and response to
partners with recommendations and guid- violence against women as part of their national
ance on public health measures, aviation, COVID response plans, and by civil society.
UNITED NATIONS COMPREHENSIVE RESPONSE TO COVID-19 4“Verified” campaign on misinformation: UNFPA, UN-Habitat, UNHCR and UNICEF, and
Alongside the pandemic, the world is experienc- complements appeals of the International Red
ing an infodemic of misinformation – a war on Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs.
science, a surge of stigma, a tsunami of hate,
and ramped-up efforts to exploit young people > Resources needed: $7.32 billion
spending more time online. The new United
> Resources raised to date: $1.44 billion
Nations “Verified” initiative aims to share clear,
as of June 24
compelling content, and fight lies with fact-
based advice and solutions. EPI-WIN, WHO’s The UN COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund
Information Network for Epidemics, provides for the socio-economic response and recovery
regular resources and updates aimed at both the in middle- and lower-income countries. While
general public and the health-care, travel and a significant proportion of the UN’s existing
tourism, business, food and agriculture sectors. $17.8 billion portfolio of sustainable develop-
ment programmes is being repurposed towards
COVID-19 needs, additional funds are required.
Funding the response The Fund supports the rapid implementation at
country level of the UNSDG framework for the
In addition to UN-agency-specific appeals, immediate socio-economic response to COVID-
there are three major system-wide, costed 19. It was elaborated in April 2020, following the
response plans with accompanying appeals Secretary-General’s call for Global Solidarity.
that guide what we as an Organization
do to support people on the ground: > Resources required: $1 billion
for the first nine months
Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan to
address immediate health needs. The plan was > Resources raised to date: $49 million
produced by WHO and partners and is being secured
financed through government budgets, the UN
Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and
Sustaining the response
WHO’s Solidarity Response Fund, which is open
to corporations and individuals. It covers WHO’s The world is still in the acute phase of the pan-
response for 2020 but does not include what demic, and second peaks are already occurring
governments require against their national plans. in some places. Wide-ranging health measures
and other efforts will be needed for months
> Resources needed: $1.74 billion until
and years to come. This challenge demands
December 2020
uncommon political will, unprecedented levels
> Resources raised to date: of funding and rarely seen heights of solidar-
$1,022m including pledges as of 24 June ity within and among countries. The United
Nations will continue to consult with Member
Global Humanitarian Response Plan to ease the States and all stakeholders to consider how
impacts in over 63 highly vulnerable countries best to maintain the effort over the long term,
and is being regularly updated. The plan is including what political and institutional
being coordinated by OCHA with over 60 IASC arrangements may be needed for this immense
partners, including WFP, FAO, WHO, IOM, UNDP, and complex multilateral undertaking.
5 UNITED NATIONS COMPREHENSIVE RESPONSE TO COVID-19FACTS ON UN FAMILY SUPPORT ON THE GROUND
Facts on UN family support on the ground as of early June
as of early June
MEDICAL COORDINATION MEDICAL COORDINATION MEDICAL COORDINATION MEDICAL SUPPORT
134 countries 100 countries
>108 countries 82
80 countries 36 countries
coordinating with WHO on strategic supported in formulating national sharing critical
resource requests
medical and gaps
supply implementing WHO Unity Studies on
preparedness and response to the health plans and registering financial coordinating shipments
on the WHO Supply viaand
Portal theare transmission dynamics, severity, sero-
COVID-19 pandemic needs on WHO Partners Portal WHO Supply Portal
coordinating on shipments prevalence, 75 countries plan to start
MEDICAL SUPPORT MEDICAL SUPPORT MEDICAL SUPPORT MEDICAL SUPPORT
20 countries 16 countries >100teams
100 teams 60 experts
implementing WHO-recommended implementing the WHO recommended emergency medical teams deployed highly specialized health experts
sentinel surveillance (GISRS) for clinical platform and another 26 to support national partners with assisting national authorities on
COVID-19 countries are planning to start technical medical advice complex medical response challenges
COMMUNITY SUPPORT COMMUNITY SUPPORT COMMUNITY SUPPORT COMMUNITY SUPPORT
2.44 billion 3 million 1.9 million >540,000
people reached on COVID-19 with learners enrolled in more than 90 health & community workers trained healthcare workers in health facilities
messaging on prevention and access specialized OpenWHO COVID-19 in detection, referral and appropriate and communities provided with
to health services courses management of cases on the ground personal protective equipment
MEDICAL SUPPLY CHAIN MEDICAL SUPPLY CHAIN MEDICAL SUPPLY CHAIN MEDICAL SUPPLY CHAIN
>250 million 10 million 8 air hubs >69,000
69,000 mm3 3
items of personal protective diagnostic tests and collection kits established across the globe and over of total medical supplies are in a 6-
equipment have been shipped or are to already procured and in shipment, with 280 consignments are flown to more week shipment pipeline up to July,
be shipped as of early June millions more in 6-week pipeline than 110 countries as of early June equal to over 100 planeloads
CRISIS RESPONSE CRISIS RESPONSE CRISIS RESPONSE CRISIS RESPONSE
>60 partners 64 countries 155 million 45 million
across international and non- rapidly targeted for priority emergency children assisted with distance or children, parents and caregivers
governmental organizations brought assistance with the help of the home-based learning provided with mental health and
together in humanitarian response plan INFORM risk framework for COVID-19 psychosocial support
CRISIS RESPONSE CRISIS RESPONSE CRISIS RESPONSE CRISIS RESPONSE
28 million 14 million 12 million 3 million
people reached with critical water, households affected by COVID-19 households benefiting from additional children and adults provided with safe
sanitation and hygiene supplies and receiving humanitarian multi-sector social assistance provided by and accessible channel to report
services to help contain virus spread cash grants for basic needs governments with UN family support sexual exploitation and abuse
CRISIS RESPONSE FUNDING NEEDS FUNDING NEEDS FUNDING NEEDS
100 flights 59
56% funded 20% funded 5% funded
completed as of early June to help of WHO Strategic Preparedness and of Global Humanitarian Response of UN Socio-Economic Framework,
responders from up to 260 Response Plan, requiring $1.7 billion Plan, requiring $7 billion to response to requiring $1 billion for the first 9
organizations access areas in need to support key medical response humanitarian needs worldwide months of response
Source: SituationReports
Source: Situation Reports(May
(May / June)
/ June) from
from WHO,
WHO, Inter-Agency
Inter-Agency Supply
Supply Chain
Chain Cell, Cell, UNICEF
UNICEF, WFP,(as
UNof 28 May),
OCHA, WFP,and
UN DCO UNothers
OCHA, UN DCO and others
UNITED NATIONS COMPREHENSIVE RESPONSE TO COVID-19 6United Nations comprehensive
response to COVID-19
Seventy-five years after the last world war, The three-point
the world has found itself yet again in a global United Nations response
battle. This time all of humanity is on the
same side. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Since the beginning of the pandemic, the United
is caused by a newly discovered coronavi- Nations has pursued a three-point response.
rus, the characteristics of which are still not 1. First, a large-scale, coordinated and com-
fully known. As of 24 June, the pandemic prehensive health response, guided by
has now reached every country and taken the World Health Organization (WHO) and
over 470,000 lives with 9 million cases. the Strategic Preparedness and Response
Every day, some 126,000 new cases are con- Plan, emphasizing solidarity with devel-
firmed and over 4,300 more lives are lost. oping countries and special attention to
people at greatest risk. Universal access
The pandemic is more than a health crisis. It to health is a critical global public good
is fundamentally a human crisis. No-one is and controlling the pandemic is the main
untouched. No single individual, sector nor pre-requisite for global recovery. Ultimately,
society has been spared. No economy has we need a COVID-19 vaccine, diagnos-
gone unscathed. Some of the most vulnerable tics and treatment that are affordable,
communities have suffered disproportionate safe, effective, easily-administered and
impacts. How we respond to this crisis – in universally accessible — for everyone,
which all of humanity is confronted by the everywhere. A world where COVID-19 is
no longer a threat to humanity requires
same urgent threat – will have consequences
the most massive public health effort in
for us and for future generations. Coming out
history. To that end, data and resources
of this crisis will require a whole-of-society,
must be pooled and politics set aside.
whole-of-government and whole-of-the-world
approach that is driven by unity and com- 2. Second, a wide-ranging effort must safe-
passion. Global solidarity in the response is guard lives and livelihoods and address
not only a moral imperative, it is a practical the devastating humanitarian, human
necessity in an interconnected world, where rights and social and economic dimen-
none of us is safe until all of us are safe. sions of the crisis with a focus on providing
7 UNITED NATIONS COMPREHENSIVE RESPONSE TO COVID-19immediate humanitarian assistance, 3. Third, a recovery process that builds back
expanding services to the most vulnerable, better, leading to more equal, inclusive,
keeping households afloat, businesses resilient and sustainable economies and
solvent, supply chains functioning, insti- societies as well as an international system
tutions strong, public services delivering that can protect and deliver on critical global
and human rights at the forefront. Policies public goods. Recovery is an opportunity
must take into account the most affected to address the climate crisis, inequality
and least resilient. At a national level this of all kinds and gaps in our social protec-
tion systems. Instead of going back to
entails dedicated measures to address the
unsustainable systems and approaches,
needs and rights of women, older people,
we need to transition to renewable energy,
children, low-wage earners, persons with
green infrastructure, sustainable food
disabilities and vulnerable groups. At a
systems, social inclusion, gender equality,
global level, it requires a comprehensive
and stronger social safety nets, univer-
stimulus package amounting to at least ten
sal health coverage, better preparedness
percent of global GDP and massive sup-
for health emergencies and multi-hazard
port to developing countries in the form of risks. At the global level, we need to put in
an across-the-board debt standstill, debt place an international cooperation archi-
restructuring and greater support through tecture that is designed for the problems
the international financial institutions. and challenges of the 21st century.
UNITED NATIONS COMPREHENSIVE RESPONSE TO COVID-19 8I. The Health Response
Control the pandemic, 3) Outbreak risks are minimized in vulnerable
places, such as nursing homes and health
contain the virus
facilities; 4) Schools, workplaces and other
The first aim is to suppress transmission of essential places have established preventive
the virus to control the pandemic. Most people measures; 5) The risk of importing new cases
infected with COVID-19 will experience mild can be managed; 6) Communities are fully
to moderate respiratory illness and recover educated, engaged and empowered to live
without requiring special treatment. Some under a new normal. Every person has a role
people, particularly older people and those with to play to protect lives and stop the virus.
underlying medical conditions are more likely to
develop serious illness. Until specific vaccines Some countries can achieve these conditions
or treatments for COVID-19 become available, with their own resources but developing coun-
the only effective response, according to WHO tries need support. The United Nations system
guidelines, is a comprehensive approach that has mobilized fully to assist governments,
actively detects, tests, isolates and cares for partners, and communities, including through:
every case, and to trace and quarantine every
contact. This will require physical distancing • Delivering medical supplies: The United
measures, fact-and science-based public infor- Nations has mobilized its extensive procure-
mation, expanded testing, increasing capacity ment and logistics capacities and network of
of healthcare facilities, supporting healthcare supply chains, especially WHO procurement
workers, and ensuring adequate supplies. and WFP delivery capabilities, putting them
at the disposal of developing countries. This
To slow down transmission, countries have entails working through a dedicated COVID-
implemented a number of public health meas- 19 Supply Chain taskforce as well as with
ures, including restrictions on movement, partners, not only procuring supplies but
public gatherings, and economic activity. As supporting shipment through eight air-hubs
they consider lifting or adjusting these meas- and on United Nations “Solidarity Flights”.
ures, they need to take into account six criteria Medical supplies – personal protective
in order to minimize the risk of resurgence: equipment, testing and diagnostics sup-
1) Disease transmission is under control; 2) plies, and biomedical equipment such as
Health systems are able to detect, test, isolate ventilators – have been delivered to more
and treat every case and trace every contact; than 130 countries. Over 250 million items of
9 UNITED NATIONS COMPREHENSIVE RESPONSE TO COVID-19personal protective equipment (PPE) alone that the international community stands
have been shipped or are in the process of ready to provide to support all countries
being shipped by the supply chain team. to prepare for and respond to COVID-19,
Nearly 70,000 cubic meters of supplies are taking what we have learned so far about
in a 6-week pipeline for shipment, equaling the virus and translating that knowledge
over 100 planeloads. One hundred more into strategic action that can guide the
planeloads will go to the countries that need efforts of all national and international
supplies most, before the end of July. partners when developing context-specific
national and regional operational plans.
• Supporting the front line health response: At More than 60 highly specialized experts
country-level, the United Nations is providing have deployed to advise national counter-
medical supplies, installing hand-washing
parts on the fight against the pandemic.
stations, training medical staff and, in some
cases paying their salaries, constructing • Promoting effective communication and
quarantine sites and medical checkpoints reliable Information: Misinformation and
and supporting local contact-tracing efforts disinformation have complicated the health
(e.g. by providing motorcycles and fuel and response. ‘Verified’ is a UN initiative to
by monitoring flows of especially vulnerable combat COVID-19 misinformation by increas-
populations). Over 10 million diagnostic items
ing the volume and reach of trusted, accu-
have been procured, with millions more in the
rate information. The initiative produces a
pipeline. Over 100 emergency medical teams
daily feed of compelling, shareable content
have been deployed to support national
around three themes: science – to save
efforts and ten million diagnostic items have
lives; solidarity – to promote local and global
been procured. The UN is also boosting labo-
cooperation; and solutions – to advocate
ratory testing capacity, building hospitals with
support for impacted populations. It calls on
ICU facilities and supporting national and
people around the world to become “informa-
local authorities with public health messaging
tion volunteers” and share UN-verified, sci-
and information for communities. As part of
this, healthcare and frontline workers must be ence-based content to keep their families and
equipped and protected. The United Nations communities safe and connected. EPI-WIN,
is supporting efforts to ensure that they have WHO’s Information Network for Epidemics,
adequate personal protective equipment provides regular resources and updates
and the resources they need to do their job. aimed at the general public as well as tailored
information for healthcare, travel and tourism,
• Providing technical support and guidance to business, food and agriculture sectors. It also
support countries in their health response. aims to debunk myths that emerge on social
This includes the Strategic Preparedness media. At country-level, the United Nations
and Response Plan, which covers the public is supporting governments’ communications
health measures needed to slow or stop efforts in traditional and social media outlets,
transmission of the virus, care for those with including by translating health information
the disease in all countries affected by the and guidance into languages accessible to
pandemic or at risk, and to ensure the con- indigenous communities, minorities, migrants
tinuity of essential health and service. The and refugees and even by joining forces
plan outlines the public health measures with musicians who have broad followings
UNITED NATIONS COMPREHENSIVE RESPONSE TO COVID-19 10COVID-19 TRENDS
Total confirmed cases per 1 million population* Total deaths per 1 million population*
5k 1k-5k 100-1k 10-100 0-10 No N/A 500+ 100-500 10-100 1-10 0-1 No N/A
reported reported
cases cases
Daily new confirmed cases Daily new deaths
200k 14k
100k 7k
0k 0k
Feb Mar Apr May Jun Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Weekly change in new confirmed cases Weekly change in deaths
25% 25%
0% 0%
-25% -25%
w-7 w-6 w-5 w-4 w-3 w-2 w-1 w-0 w-7 w-6 w-5 w-4 w-3 w-2 w-1 w-0
Week of Week of
22 June 22 June
Regional trends for confirmed cases and deaths
Trend New cases Total Cases Regions Total Deaths New deaths Trend
May vs June avg. May vs June avg.
114.3% 201,178 African Region 4,595 1.9%
80.7% 856,650 Eastern Mediterranean Region 19,041 1.9%
-19.6% 2,490,815 European Region 190,903 -1.7%
43.3% 4,092,526 Region of the Americas 212,517 -0.7%
116.3% 541,041 South-East Asia Region 16,360 7.8%
-6.4% 202,489 Western Pacific Region 7,257 -0.1%
* T
he boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not
Source: WHO (22 June 2020) imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.
11 UNITED NATIONS COMPREHENSIVE RESPONSE TO COVID-19(e.g. in West Africa). 2.44 billion people have • Advocacy for universal access: Human
been reached with dedicated messaging health is the quintessential global public
on COVID. 59 United Nations Information good. As such, the Secretary-General has
Centers (UNICS) are working with national called for universal access to treatments,
institutions, civil society and local media to diagnostics and vaccines for COVID-19. This
enhance UN messaging regarding Covid-19. requires cooperation in the development,
More than 90 courses on virus detection, production and equitable delivery stages and
management and treatment have been should cover vaccine, therapeutics and diag-
made available in nearly 30 languages. nostics. Member States have endorsed this
principle and requested the Secretary-General
• Ensuring extra support for the most vulner- to recommend options and take steps to this
able groups. Migrants, refugees, internally end (General Assembly Resolution 74/274
displaced persons, children, older persons, on International cooperation to ensure global
persons with disabilities, indigenous com- access to medicines, vaccines and medical
equipment to face COVID-19 ). In this regard,
munities and those on low-income are more
WHO has launched a Solidarity Call to Action
likely to suffer devastating consequences
that lays out the actions needed to advance
from this pandemic, especially in 63 coun-
the pooling of knowledge, intellectual prop-
tries with weaker health systems and/or
erty and data that will benefit all of humanity.
those facing conflict, natural disaster or
other humanitarian challenges. Women • Vaccine development: The Secretary-General
also face specific challenges as the vast joined the WHO and partners to launch the
majority of front line health care workers. Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-
In addition to providing immediate assis- A) to speed up the development, production
tance to the most vulnerable, the United and equitable access to new COVID-19 diag-
Nations has launched a special appeal nostics, therapeutics and vaccines. The UN
and issued a series of dedicated policy is committed to ensuring all people have
briefs (see below for more detail) to focus access to all the tools. Nine vaccine candi-
attention and resources on these groups. dates have entered the human trial phase,
while there are more than 100 candidates in
development. In addition to rapid develop-
A vaccine, diagnostics ment, deployment, and delivery of new diag-
and treatment for all nostics, therapeutics and vaccines, the ACT-A
includes a specific WHO-led programme to
The second aim of the health response is to have ensure equitable access and allocation of
new COVID-19 tools such as vaccine, diagnos- these new products. The work of the ACT-A
tics and treatment that are affordable, safe, pillars, each led by 2-3 agency partners, is
effective, easily-administered and universally supported by two Special Envoys; and a
available — for everyone, everywhere. A world WHO-hosted support hub. The COVID-19
where COVID-19 is no longer a threat to human- Technology Access Pool (C-TAP) will compile,
ity requires the most massive public health in one place, pledges of commitment made
effort in history. Data must be shared, produc- under the Solidarity Call to Action to voluntar-
tion capacity prepared, resources mobilized, ily share COVID-19 health technology related
communities engaged, and politics set aside. knowledge, intellectual property and data.
UNITED NATIONS COMPREHENSIVE RESPONSE TO COVID-19 12Preparedness holistic focus on universal health coverage
and primary healthcare, social protections,
The third aim is to strengthen pandemic pre- and affordable and sustainable access
paredness, management and response glob- to essential services. The gaps should be
ally. The costs of COVID-19 already outweigh closed in data, scientific information-sharing,
those of all previous epidemics combined and pathogen-sharing, and epidemiology. Strong
there are growing risks of other epidemics solidarity and support from G20/OECD coun-
that spread rapidly and are difficult to contain.
tries are needed for prevention and prepared-
COVID-19 has exposed dangerous gaps in pre-
ness in lower income and fragile countries.
paredness and health coverage and access.
Only one third of countries have put in place • At country level, the United Nations is
the capacities required under International providing technical and operational guid-
Health Regulations (2005). Pandemic prepar- ance and tools to support countries in
edness and response require a standardized
strengthening their public health emer-
outbreak alert system linked to concrete actions
gency management systems. This ranges
by national and local health authorities.
from tools and approaches for emergency
• Advocacy: The Secretary-General is advocat- response planning, to coordination and
ing for universal access to health and, within financing, risk communications and com-
that, pandemic preparedness to be seen as munity engagement, health surveillance,
a global public good with commensurate including case finding and contact tracing,
global and national-level investments. Public clinical management, infection preven-
health systems should evolve towards a more tion and control and laboratory testing.
13 UNITED NATIONS COMPREHENSIVE RESPONSE TO COVID-19II. Safeguarding Lives and
Livelihoods: humanitarian, human
rights and socioeconomic responses
COVID-19 has disrupted billions of lives and such as direct provision of resources to support
endangered the global economy, leading to a workers and households, provision of health
record global recession. The health response and unemployment insurance, scaling-up of
has necessitated difficult decisions for every social protection, and support to businesses to
country and society. The human impacts of prevent bankruptcies and job loss. Resources
lockdowns and suspensions of social and need to go directly into the hands of people to
economic activity are and will be dispropor- ensure support reaches those entirely depend-
tionately felt by the most vulnerable countries ent on the informal economy and countries
and groups. It is important for governments to less able to respond. Specific measures from
ensure that these decisions are transparent, cash transfers to credits and loans must target
trusted and understood and that additional women. We also need world leaders to commit
measures are undertaken to cushion the impact to ban tariffs, quotas or non-tariff measures,
on people’s lives, their livelihoods and the econ- remove restrictions on cross border trade
omy, to minimize inadvertent harms, and to and waive sanctions imposed on countries to
keep human rights considerations to the fore. ensure access to food, essential health sup-
plies, and health and humanitarian workers.
This is a human crisis and human beings
must be at the centre of the response. Poverty The Secretary-General has issued a series of
could rise by 500 million people– the first United Nations policy briefs that can help guide
increase in three decades – with 70-100 Member States and other actors with regard
million at risk of falling back into extreme to many of the critical decisions they face, in
poverty. It is estimated that the global econ- particular in terms of support to those most
omy will lose $9 trillion over the course of in need. At country-level, the United Nations
2020/21 with developing countries standing is providing a wide range of concrete support,
to lose $220 billion in GDP in 2020 alone. including food; medicine; water and sanitation;
hygiene kits; shelter; cash assistance; and extra
We need a major act of solidarity with devel- protections (e.g. toll-free hotlines) for those at
oping countries. We need a focus on low-wage physical risk, including of domestic violence.
and informal economy workers, small and 155 million children have been supported with
medium enterprises and the most vulnerable. remote/home-learning. 14 million households
Households and small businesses must be have been reached with cash grants and 12 mil-
kept afloat. Countries should consider actions lion are receiving additional social assistance
UNITED NATIONS COMPREHENSIVE RESPONSE TO COVID-19 14from governments with UN support. 45 million logistical backbone to support implementa-
people have received psychosocial support. tion. To date, $1.44 billion has been received.
$20m has been reprogrammed from the [See below under Resource Mobilization]
Spotlight Initiative to eliminate violence against
women and girls to take services online and
increase support to frontline organizations. An immediate relief package
for developing countries
Some of the primary components of the UN pol-
icy agenda and operational responses include: Developing countries need enormous and imme-
diate support to weather this crisis. From the
outset, the Secretary-General has advocated
Immediate health and strongly for a relief package amounting to a
humanitarian needs in the most double-digit percentage – more than ten per
vulnerable 63 countries cent – of the global economy so as to enable
developing countries to fight the pandemic,
The COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response while keeping their communities, businesses
Plan is the international community’s primary and economies afloat (see the UN Secretary-
planning and fundraising vehicle for an urgent General’s Shared Responsibility, Global Solidarity
and coordinated response to the pandemic in report). The International Monetary Fund and
the world’s most fragile settings, i.e. 63 coun- the World Bank have released emergency
tries already facing a humanitarian or refugee financing and the G20 has suspended debt
crisis, or with high levels of vulnerability. The service payments for the poorest countries.1
plan covers the actions of UN agencies and But more is needed and, to that end, on 28 May,
NGOs and is articulated around three inter- the Secretary-General co-convened nearly 50
related strategic priorities, namely to contain Heads of State and Government, the leaders of
the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank,
decrease morbidity and mortality; to decrease the Institute for International Finance, the OECD,
the deterioration of human assets and rights, the special envoys of the United Nations and the
social cohesion and livelihoods; and to protect, African Union and others – the largest gather-
assist and advocate for refugees, internally dis- ing of leaders since the pandemic began – at a
placed people, migrants and host communities High-Level Event on Financing For Development
particularly vulnerable to the pandemic. Key In The Era Of COVID-19 And Beyond. Six work-
actions have included: supply of personal pro- streams were created that will pursue various
tective equipment, diagnostics and treatment aspects of this agenda over the next six months,
material; improvements to water and sanitation, including on liquidity; debt; action by private
particularly in camp and camp like settings; risk creditors; external finance; ending illicit financial
communications; protection services, including flows; and rebuilding differently and better.
for gender-based violence and child protection
and psychosocial support; ensuring targeted • Liquidity: So that developing countries
and tailored support to the most vulnerable. have the resources they need to fight the
The updated plan requests $7.32 billion for pandemic, the UN is pushing to expand
immediate life-saving interventions and for the liquidity in the global economy and maintain
1 As of mid-June, World Bank has allocated $17bn to 105 countries, with target to reach $160bn within 12-18 months. Similarly,
IMF has allocated $25bn to 69 countries, with target to reach $100bn within 12-18 months.
15 UNITED NATIONS COMPREHENSIVE RESPONSE TO COVID-19financial stability to safeguard development the UN framework for the immediate
gains and strengthen the recovery for the socio-economic response to COVID-19 to
benefit of current and future generations. mitigate the social and economic impact
on people in 162 countries covered by
• Debt: So as to prevent debt crises in all 129 UN Resident Coordinators (UNDS).
countries at risk, including middle income
countries, since such crises risk undermining
both the COVID-19 response and sustainable A framework for the immediate
development for years to come, the UN is socio-economic responses
promoting to address debt vulnerabilities for
all developing countries that request support The Secretary-General’s Shared Responsibility,
to free fiscal resources to save lives and Global Solidarity report is being implemented
livelihoods for billions around the world. through a framework consisting of five work-
streams: 1. protecting existing health services
• Action by private creditors: The UN is and strengthening health systems’ capacity to
engaging with private creditors on the respond to COVID-19; 2. helping people cope
need to create a space in which they can with adversity, through social protection and
proactively engage in effective and timely basic services; 3. protecting jobs, supporting
solutions to the looming debt crisis and small and medium-sized enterprises, and infor-
avoid the significantly higher cost to mal sector workers through economic recovery
investors and societies that would result programmes; 4. guiding the necessary surge in
from a disorderly wave of defaults. fiscal and financial stimulus to make macroe-
conomic policies work for the most vulnerable
• External finance: Prerequisites for enhanc-
and strengthening multilateral and regional
ing external finance for inclusive growth and
responses; and 5. promoting social cohesion
creating jobs, including measures to enhance
and investing in community-led resilience and
long-term finance, FDI, portfolio investment,
response systems. These five streams are con-
and lower the transactions costs of migrant
nected by action to meet the need for environ-
remittances. Countries have already com-
mental sustainability, if countries are to recover
mitted to reduce remittance fees to less
and “build back better”, and be better prepared
than three percent (SDG target 10.c), but
to address future shocks, including pandemics.
this crisis requires us to get closer to zero.
• Ending illicit financial flows: Measures to
expand fiscal space and foster domestic
We are all in this together:
resource mobilization by preventing illicit human rights approaches
financial flows, base erosion and profit shift- ensure better outcomes
ing, and facilitating contributions of the digi-
The COVID-19 pandemic is a human crisis that
tal economy in the emergency and beyond.
is fast becoming a human rights crisis. As such,
• Rebuilding differently and better: Ensuring a human rights must guide COVID-19 response
sustainable and inclusive recovery by align- and recovery. A human rights lens can help
ing recovery policies with the Sustainable beat the pandemic, putting a focus on those at
Development Goals and the Paris Agreement risk of being left behind. The virus does not dis-
on climate change. In addition there is criminate, but its impacts do — exposing deep
UNITED NATIONS COMPREHENSIVE RESPONSE TO COVID-19 16weaknesses in the delivery of public services effectively addressed during the recovery phase,
and structural inequalities that impede access to with targeted action to support the marginalised
them. The policy brief underscores how govern- and most vulnerable. This includes, for instance,
ments and others can ensure better outcomes monitoring specific human rights concerns that
for everyone by keeping human rights consider- take on added urgency in the context of Covid-
ations to the fore in their responses. This holds 19, such as crowded conditions in prisons.
both for the public health emergency and the OHCHR has produced targeted guidance for
broader impact on people’s lives and livelihoods. States and other partners to guide responses
There are six key messages in the brief. First, the and mitigate these human rights challenges.
public health response should be acutely sensi-
tive to unintended socio-economic impacts and
care must be taken to mitigate those impacts A global ceasefire
where possible. Second, the response must not
discriminate; it needs to reach the most vulner- The fight against this virus emphasizes the folly
able and marginalized for if the virus persists of war. On 23 March, the Secretary-General
in one country or one community, it remains appealed for an immediate global ceasefire in
a threat to us all. Third, an effective response all corners of the world to focus together on
requires people to be informed and involved in the true fight – defeating COVID-19. He called
decisions that affect them. Compliance depends on warring parties in all corners of the world
on transparency. Fourth, emergency measures to pull back from hostilities to help create cor-
should be necessary, reasonable, time-bound ridors for life-saving aid, open windows for
and proportionate, and be seen as such. The diplomacy and bring hope to those who are
best response is one that responds propor- most vulnerable. The call has resonated widely,
tionately to immediate threats while protecting with endorsements from nearly 180 Member
human rights and the rule of law. The pandemic States, as well as over 20 armed movements
should not be used as a pretext for restrictions and other entities, along with diverse regional
on civic space or other measures not warranted organizations, religious leaders and a broad
by the virus itself. Fifth, international solidarity
coalition of international and local NGOs and
is critical to an effective response. Sixth and
more than 800 civil society organizations. At
finally, by respecting human rights in this time of
country-level, United Nations envoys leading 26
crisis, we will build more effective and inclusive
Special Political Missions, and 13 peacekeeping
solutions for the emergency of today and the
operations have enhanced their engagement
recovery for tomorrow, in keeping with the Call
with all relevant parties to promote a ceasefire.
to Action on Human Rights. At country-level,
However, these tentative steps away from vio-
the United Nations, led by the Office of the High
lence have been fragile, with many ceasefires
Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), is
working to embed human rights at the heart now elapsing or being reversed. Meanwhile,
of the response of states, UN partners, civil in a number of conflict contexts, the violence
society and the private sector, and to ensure has intensified as the COVID-19 toll has con-
that the human rights impacts of COVID-19 are tinued to mount. Time is running out to act.
17 UNITED NATIONS COMPREHENSIVE RESPONSE TO COVID-19Ending violence everywhere more to flag and, in line with international human
rights law, remove racist, misogynist and other
– including in the home
harmful content; civil society to strengthen
The Secretary-General has also urged all gov- outreach to vulnerable people, and religious
ernments to make the prevention and redress actors to serve as models of mutual respect.
of violence against women a key part of their Journalists and media workers are crucial to
national response plans. On 5 April, he issued a helping the public make informed decisions.
global call emphasizing the need for an end to all The United Nations is calling on governments
violence against women everywhere, including in — and others — to guarantee that journalists
the home. There is increased demand on domes- can do their jobs throughout the pandemic and
tic violence helplines and emergency shelters. beyond. Every person must fight the stigma,
Nearly one in five women worldwide has expe- discrimination, racism and xenophobia created
rienced violence in the past year. Many are now by this pandemic. Trust in science and insti-
trapped at home with their abusers. The human- tutions are the necessary vaccines against
itarian access for sexual and gender-based vio- misinformation that impedes the fight against
lence service providers has been also restricted. the virus. At country-level, UN Country Teams
Over 140 governments have supported this call. and UN Information Centers are engaging with
At country-level, the United Nations, with UN local communities to provide verified informa-
Women in the lead, is undertaking rapid assess- tion on Covid-19, for instance by running social
ments of violence against women and girls as media campaigns, engaging local storytellers,
well as strengthening access to essential and holding online workshops for journalists, gov-
quality services for women survivors of violence. ernment officials, youth leaders, and others on
the frontlines of the response to the virus.
Combatting misinformation
and hate speech Food security and nutrition
To defeat COVID-19 and build a more sustaina- The COVID-19 crisis threatens the food secu-
ble and equitable world, we need communities rity and nutrition of millions of people, many of
to come together to stand up against hate and whom were already suffering. More than 820
to ensure that accurate information guides million people were already chronically food
decision-making. The Secretary-General has insecure and an additional 130 million people
appealed for an all-out effort to end hate speech could suffer acute hunger in 2020 due to the
globally and called on everyone to spread kind- impact of the pandemic. Around 70-100 million
ness, building on his strategy and plan of action people may fall into extreme poverty. Were this
on hate speech. In the context of COVID-19, he to happen, the total number of people who are
specifically called on: political leaders to show acutely food or nutrition insecure would rapidly
solidarity with all members of their societies and expand and we would be facing a large global
build and reinforce social cohesion; educational food emergency. In the longer term, we face
institutions to focus on digital literacy at a time possible disruptions to the functioning of food
when billions of young people are online – and systems, with severe consequences for health
when extremists are seeking to prey on captive and nutrition. Already those systems were in
and potentially despairing audiences; the media, crisis due to such factors as climate change,
especially social media companies, to do much instability, locust plagues and other stresses.
UNITED NATIONS COMPREHENSIVE RESPONSE TO COVID-19 18With concerted action, we can not only avoid in the world of work, at least 300 million work-
some of the worst immediate impacts but do ers have lost their livelihoods and many more
so in a way that supports a transition to more remain at risk. In the formal economy alone,
sustainable food systems that are in better bal- 305 million fewer workers were employed in the
ance with nature and that support healthy diets second quarter of 2020 as compared to 2019.
– and thus better health prospects - for all. The The unprecedented increase in unemployment
policy brief recommends a focus on 1) Saving and underemployment is having a dramatic
lives, focusing where risks are most acute with impact on the livelihoods, well-being and mental
better surveillance, assistance to most vulner- health of workers and their families. Small and
able, proactive pre-positioning, keeping trade medium-sized enterprises – the engine of the
corridors open, designating food and nutrition global economy – are suffering immensely and
services as essential, and meeting liquidity many may not recover. Decades of progress on
needs of small producers; 2) strengthening women’s labour force participation may also be
social protection systems, safeguarding access set back. Impacts vary considerably between
to nutritious food, especially for young chil- groups of people and countries and depend to a
dren, pregnant and breastfeeding women, older large extent on government interventions. The
people and other at-risk groups; 3) investing in most vulnerable groups are at risk of becoming
transforming food systems, with a shift towards even more vulnerable, and poor countries risk
more sustainable food systems practices. falling even further behind. The sectors that have
been among the worst affected – service, hos-
At country-level, UN agencies such as the pitality, tourism and the informal sector - all dis-
World Food Program (WFP), which is already proportionately employ women, who have also
providing food security assistance to 100 borne the brunt of the increase in care burdens
million people every day, and the Food and and unpaid work. The policy brief highlights the
Agriculture Organization (FAO) have stepped needs for 1) immediate support for at-risk work-
up assistance in places where markets have ers, enterprises, jobs and incomes to avoid enter-
been affected by COVID-19. Combinations prise closures, job losses and income decline,
of in-kind and cash assistance have been and mitigate the shift in work and labour into the
scaled up as has technical support to govern- domestic sphere; 2) attention to both health and
ments for shock responsive social protection economic activity upon the return to work, with
measures, tools to support policy analyses safe workplaces and provisions for the rights
at country and global level and assessing the and needs of women and populations at risk; and
impact of COVID-19 on food and agriculture, 3) pursuing a recovery with better jobs through
value chains, food prices, and food security. a human-centred, green and sustainable, inclu-
sive approach that harnesses the potential of
new technologies to create decent jobs for all.
The impact on work
At country-level, the United Nations, with the
As of mid-May 94 percent of the world’s workers International Labor Organization at the forefront
were living in countries with some type of work- of these efforts, is providing policy advice, analy-
place closure measures in place to respond to sis and training to governments and other related
the COVID-19 pandemic. While certain sectors institutions, often focusing on measures to
and industries have successfully moved online, support vulnerable groups in the labour market
pointing the way towards exciting innovations (e.g refugees, women and workers in informal
19 UNITED NATIONS COMPREHENSIVE RESPONSE TO COVID-19You can also read
