We face our largest health crisis since World War II because of the COVID-19 epidemic.
More than 230 million people have been affected, and the virus is still spreading. As the number of people who have died approaches 5 million, the human family is being burdened with an almost inconceivable amount of grief.
As the death toll grows, we need to work together to slow the spread of this epidemic.. Achim Steiner is the UNDP’s chief executive officer. Societal and economic consequences of a pandemic are dire. The social, economic, and political consequences can be devastating in any country where it occurs.
97 million people will be living below the poverty line by 2020, according to the World Bank.
The International Labor Organization (ILO) expects 205 million people to be unemployed in 2022, up from 187 million in 2019.
COVID-19’s socio-economic response is being spearheaded by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), which has a long history of working with the private sector as well as the public sector, as part of its mission to eliminate poverty, reduce inequality, and build resilience to crisis and shocks.
Decision-makers will be helped by COVID-19 to consider the future of our economy in four key areas: governance, social safety nets, the green economy as well as digital disruption. It entails taking the reins of the UN’s social and economic response strategy. Achim Steiner, United Nations Development Program
In order to protect vulnerable populations and economies, COVID-19 must be contained.
Trust and cooperation must be re-established among nations and between individuals and governments.
UNDP’s help will also ensure that countries’ responses to the SDGs are comprehensive, equitable, and inclusive, so that no one is left behind and countries can continue to meet their goals.
We must also think about ways to prevent a new epidemic from occurring. With an eye toward the future, UNDP will examine ways to help countries better prepare for and deal with disasters, so that the entire world can benefit from what was learned here.
Now is the time for a global response.
We’ve been there for Moldova since the beginning of the conflict. UN and development partners are working closely with the authorities to help secure medical supplies, examine long-term recovery needs, and help the country construct a multi-sectoral, inclusive pandemic response to protect its people and economy.