United Nations backs Moldova's government in fighting COVID-19 pandemic

Chisinau, 7 April /MOLDPRES/ - The country team of the United Nations in Chisinau has been in permanent touch with the Moldovan government and the Health, Labour and Social Protection Ministry (MSMPS), providing support in three priority sectors: preparing the health system, technical support and strengthening the capacities and informing and communication about COVID-19. Along with the World Health Organization (WHO), the office of the UN resident coordinator identified the needs to support the four scenarios forecast for Moldova.   

Additionally, UN Moldova initiated the dialogue with the development partners and its agencies, in order to canalize the resources and expertise to the most urgent needs, to support the medical system.  

”This is probably the biggest test the mankind must pass. The key words and actions now are solidarity, empathy and responsibility. We should think strategically and be by two-three steps in front, so that each citizen receives the assistance he/she needs. UN Moldova and its agencies support the Chisinau government, providing expertise, resources and the network of cooperation, necessary for combating the pandemic,’’ UN Resident Coordinator in Moldova, Simon Springett said.      

Following the coordination work, WHO - one of the UN agencies, provided 2,500 kits with tests and protection equipment for medical system employees. WHO also carried out trainings for specialists, epidemiologists and heads of hospitals on the clinical management of COVID-19 and in cooperation with UNDP Moldova, informed over 75 mayors and community leaders from all over the country.  

In last March, with the support of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) Moldova, an online platform on COVID-19 was launched, which supplies data in real time about coronavirus cases. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation along with UNDP Moldova has recently purchased protection medical uniforms. At the same time, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is in process of buying needed medical equipment for the treatment of COVID-19 and for the HIV control. Also, UN Women, along with UNFPA, with the support of Sweden, provides protection masks, disinfectants, essential products, such as the basic food products, detergents, hygiene products, diapers for children, for 250 women survivors of violence.  

„The communication about COVID-19 plays an important role in ceasing the spread of the pandemic. The UN agencies in Moldova, along with development partners, support the MSMPS in the development of a strategic communication, production of informing materials and dissemination of information through all means available/proper for ensuring each citizen’s right to information,’’ sources from UN Moldova said.  

United Nations Secretary General António Guterres has recently launched a global plan on the coordinated humanitarian response worth 2 billion dollars to combat COVID-19 in some of the most vulnerable countries of the world, in an effort to protect millions of people and stop the uncontrolled spread of the virus in the world.  

COVID-19 has already triggered the death of more than 70,000 people worldwide and more than one million of infection cases were reported. The virus spread in all corners of the world and now starts spreading also in the countries which already face humanitarian crises, natural disasters and climate changes.