The Gross National Happiness Commission (GNHC) and UNDP Bhutan signed an agreement on UNDP’s COVID-19 Response Support to Bhutan on April 24 in Thimphu.
The Response package includes support to the Ministry of Health, the National Commission for Women and Children (NCWC) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) working with vulnerable populations such as RENEW and Nazhoen Lamtoen.
The three main components of the support package are ICT Equipment Support, procurement of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and inclusive COVID-19 Risk Communications and Advocacy.
The GNHC thanked UNDP for proactively providing the support required at such a time. “Such support would immensely contribute towards preparedness both in health and in protecting the vulnerable,” said the GNHC Director, Rinchen Wangdi.
The Resident Representative of UNDP Bhutan, Ms. Azusa Kubota, said that globally COVID-19 crisis has given impetus to technological advancement and demonstrated the potential of technology in contact tracing and other areas where real-time data is critical for targeted and rapid decision making.
“I commend the innovation, creativity and proactivity of the local innovators and the Ministry of Health, and UNDP is humbled to be a partner,” she added.
