UN to Support Yangon Health Department to Tackle COVID-19

The United Nations continues to scale-up its support to the Ministry of Health and Sports and relevant departments of Government of Myanmar in the wake of the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the World Health Organization (WHO), together with International Organization for Migration (IOM) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) have mounted a collective effort to support the Health and Sports Ministry’s Regional Department in Yangon.

More than 5,000 sets of basic items, including bed linen, mattresses, blankets, kitchen utensils and mosquito nets, as well as sets of hygiene items urgently needed at quarantine facilities, will soon be sent to the Yangon Regional Health Department. This support will also be complemented by WFP’s plans to support the people in quarantine facilities in Yangon with food assistance.

“The United Nations fully supports the efforts of the Government of Myanmar to prevent, contain and respond to the threat of this pandemic” said Ola Almgren, the UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Myanmar. “Five UN agencies, funds and programmes coming together in support of Yangon Health Department demonstrates our collective commitment to continue working with the Government at all levels to fight the battle against COVID-19” said Mr. Almgren, adding that the United Nations appreciates the partnership with the Government of Myanmar.

The support comes in addition to earlier announced plans by the United Nations to send 50,000 test kits to the Ministry of Health and Sports. United Nations specialized agencies, funds and programmes continue to coordinate joint efforts on a daily basis to prevent and respond to the outbreak in Myanmar.

“This is a difficult moment not only for the people of Myanmar, but also for billions of people around the world” said Mr. Almgren, noting that the virus is rapidly spreading across over 170 countries. “I reiterate the words of the United Nations Secretary-General that we are in this together – and we will get through this, together.”.

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