The United Nations in Bhutan committed USD 1.17 M amounting to more than Nu 82 M to the government. The funds are from the UN Secretary General’s COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund and Joint Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Fund.
It will be used for COVID-19 response and rebuilding Bhutan better. The UN will support education continuity, strengthening the tourism sector, support farmers and entrepreneurs and to accelerate progress towards the sustainable development goals.
Gerald Daly, the Resident Coordinator for UN Bhutan, says the funds will help protect the most vulnerable and also help the country in responding to the socio-economic impacts of the current pandemic. “Approximately USD 300,000 will support the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health. We are going to help young children, especially the more vulnerable children through UNICEF. And then through the World Food Program and through the UNDP, we are going to help tourism workers who need to be supported this time. And also agriculture extension works,” he said.
The Joint SDG Fund worth USD 872,050 will support the country finance its development priorities and respond to COVID-19. It is also aimed at achieving Bhutan’s SDG over the long-term and strengthen financial self-reliance.
Tshering Zam
