The UN Resident Coordinator in India, Ms. Renata Dessallien welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s strategy for a nation-wide 21-day lockdown to curtail the coronavirus pandemic. She also commended the Prime Minister’s call for social distancing, an important step that is expected to help flatten the curve.
“The UN system in India is fully mobilized and ready to further step up its support to the Government of India to fight COVID-19. I believe that if we work together, we can overcome one of the greatest health threats of our lifetimes,” said Ms. Dessallien.
UN agencies, including the World Health Organization and UNICEF, are at the forefront of our COVID-19 response and is working with government, both at the centre and state, on preparedness and response measures, disease surveillance, laboratory and research protocols, risk communications, training on infection prevention and control and cluster containment plan, surveillance and tracking of travellers.
On 24 March, Ms. Dessallien, along with WHO Representative to India, Dr. Henk Bekedam, met the Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan and commended the government for its “early and robust response”, taking a whole-of-government approach to tackle the pandemic head on. They also discussed measures to reduce stigma and stereotype.
The UN in India remains active and is determined to deliver for the people we serve, especially the most vulnerable and disadvantaged, who may be amongst the hardest hit.
