UN, FG, governors others move against coronavirus

The United Nations (UN) and Nigeria have launched a basket fund to complement ongoing efforts by the National COVID-19 Multi-Sectoral Pandemic Response Plan, initiated by the Presidential Task Force on the virus.

Named One Framework, the UN in Nigeria, through the fund, had mobilised and deployed over $2 million for medical supplies to boost measures by the Federal Government to contain the pandemic.

The fund, which is serving as the ‘One COVID-19 Financing and Investment Platform’ for diverse stakeholders (UN and other multilateral, bilaterals, private sector, foundations, philanthropists, among others), would channel financial support to ensure an efficient, effective and impactful response to the novel coronavirus.

Speaking at the launch in Abuja, the United Nations Resident Coordinator and representative of the global agency’s Secretary-General, Edward Kallon, explained that the National COVID-19 Response Plan was founded on 10 pillars, encompassing scaling up surveillance, testing, isolation, contact tracing, infection prevention and control (including protection of medical staff), case management of critically unwell patients, risk communication and community engagement, research and emergency preparedness, security and logistics for mass care, and coordination and resource mobilisation.

He implored others to invest in the project, adding that the “COVID-19 Basket Fund will be facilitated and implemented by the UN system in Nigeria through a Project Management Board comprising representatives of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 Response, relevant government agencies, donors and the UN system.”

Kallon applauded the Nigerian government for urgently mobilising resources to address the impact of plague, pointing out that government could not do it all alone.

“For the country to succeed in fighting back the threat of the coronavirus pandemic, we must all come together across all sectors to support the government at this time of great need,” he stated.

He added: “The Basket Fund will also fund socio-economic measures such as cash transfers or food distribution to vulnerable groups adversely affected by measures instituted to control further spread of the pandemic.”

In his remarks, the Head of European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Ketil Karlsen, submitted that major donors had welcomed the fund as a mechanism for urgent assistance.

He said: “At this time of need, Nigeria is not alone, the European Union is committed to supporting the government of Nigeria in addressing the challenges of the pandemic. The COVID-19 Basket Fund avails us with the opportunity to cooperate and act rapidly in the deployment of assistance that can help enhance healthcare services and cushion the most vulnerable.”

Also speaking, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, commended the Executive Director of Global Fund for exhibiting flexibility that had allowed the most populous black nation to request re-programming of existing grants to direly scale-up surveillance, diagnoses, infection control and other strategic measures to support the national response plan on the ailment.

In his contribution, the chairperson of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, harped on collaboration, adding that the Federal Government appreciates the role the UN was playing to rally partners to support the country’s efforts at fighting the deadly disease.

In the same vein, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) yesterday said it was working with the World Bank and MTN Nigeria to get support for the states in mitigation of the economic and social costs of the epidemic.

In a communiqué yesterday by the chairman and chief executive of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, at the end of its third COVID-19 teleconference meeting in Abuja, the forum listed ongoing plans to include accelerated disbursement of existing and new financing for states underth