Picture Courtesy : PMO
The Funds, Programmes and Specialized Agencies of the United Nations (UN) in Bhutan extended their support to help the government in its fight against Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in the country.
The UN Resident Coordinator Gerald Daly extended the monetary support amounting to Nu 80.5 M to Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering this morning.
The support came following the United Nations’ Secretary General’s call on its agencies spread across the world to help countries who are in the midst of COVID-19 challenge.
The UN extended the support to help the government meet the immediate needs of quarantine facilities across the country.
“The United Nations is so supportive of the government, precisely because they have taken a proactive position in dealing with COVID-19. We believe that by entrusting our resources with the Royal Government of Bhutan we are helping the country and moreover we are also helping the government of this country and making the best use of the UN’s resources,” said Gerald Daly, the Resident Coordinator of UN in Bhutan.
Besides, the office also committed to extending technical support to the government for COVID-19 response plan and initiatives beyond the health sector.
“At the United Nations and also with the Royal Government of Bhutan, we deeply believe in the importance of looking after the most vulnerable parts of the population. So over the coming days, weeks and months we will be tracking the most vulnerable in this country and supporting the RGoB to know who are the most vulnerable, where they are and what is the wisest way to support through this challenging time which we know could end soon but may not end sooner and we have to be able to support the country and the most vulnerable people whichever way it rolls,” the resident Coordinator added.
The office also assures the government that it stands ready to reprogramme the joint government-UN Annual Workplan for 2020. Currently, there are 26 UN agencies, funds and programmes working in Bhutan.
Phub Gyem