Like most countries in the world, Somalia is facing the unparalleled challenge of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, the United Nations system in the country noted on Tuesday, calling on its citizens to 鈥渦nite鈥� in stemming the spread.
鈥淭he UN family in Somalia stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of Somalia during this testing time鈥�, UN Special Representative for Somalia James Swan underscored in a press听.
Grateful to 's Foreign Minister (), and Ministers of Health () and Transport () for briefing the Diplomatic Corps today on the measures Somalia is taking to respond to the -19 outbreak, and how international partners can support.
鈥� UNSOM (@UNSomalia)
He assured that UN would continue its support in tackling the immediate health and long-term socio-economic impact of the听coronavirus, paying particular attention 鈥渢o the most vulnerable鈥�, including internally displaced people, the infirm and the elderly.
鈥淭he United Nations appeals to everyone in Somalia to come together in this fight against the pandemic鈥�, said Mr. Swan, echoing the Secretary-General鈥檚 call for 鈥渁n immediate global ceasefire to put aside violence, mistrust, hostilities and animosity, and to focus on battling the virus, not each other鈥�.
鈥淪o that all resources and support can be channeled to fight the听COVID-19听pandemic鈥�, he called, on behalf of the UN, 鈥渇or a cessation of acts of violence and terrorism鈥�.
Containing the virus
To reinforce federal and state level efforts to contain and curb the virus, the UN has established system-wide operating, medical and support procedures.
鈥淥ur robust support to Somalia continues,鈥� said Deputy Special Representative, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Adam Abdelmoula. 鈥淎ll agencies remain engaged and continue to deliver critical assistance to those most in need.鈥�
The World Health Organization () is maintaining its scaled-up operational readiness and response, including by supporting a testing mechanism and isolating suspected cases to prevent onward transmission.
鈥淲HO is heavily engaged with the Somali health authorities for case findings, contact tracing, testing, isolation and containment activities with the intention of virus suppression and delaying patient surge鈥�, said WHO Country Representative Mamunur Rahman Malik. 鈥淲e will continue to work as One UN and keep the country safe showing our solidarity, unity and partnership with the government鈥�.
For its part, the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) continues to carry out its mandate to provide logistics support to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), as well as elements of the Somalia security forces engaged in joint security operations with AMISOM.听
Within the UN COVID-19 Response Task Force, UNSOS and AMISOM were able to assist the Somali Government in responding to the first suspected COVID-19 cases.
And other UN agencies and programmes are supporting the COVID-19 response plan by providing technical expertise and logistics, training health workers, providing equipment for isolation centres and scaling up hygiene responses.听
Meanwhile, in anticipation of a deteriorating situation, the World Food Programme () plans to distribute two months鈥� worth of food rations.
In closing, Mr. Abdelmoula emphasized that this 鈥渦nprecedented crisis鈥equires a swift and decisive response鈥�.听
鈥淲e, as the UN family, will continue working side-by-side with the Government to ensure the Somali people are protected, while still maintaining our regular life-saving activities that address the needs of the most vulnerable Somalis鈥�, concluded the Resident Coordinator.
