This archive report was first published on 23 April 2020.
UN, Partners Commit Ksh310m to Kenya Covid-19 Fight ¶
As part of the United Nations' response to the impact of the global Covid-19 pandemic in Kenya, development partners have agreed to mobilize Ksh310m to mitigate the spread of the deadly virus.
According to a joint statement by the UN, the funds will be used to increase the capacity of the healthcare system, build resilience of vulnerable populations, provide social protection, and advocate for the rights of women to prevent an increase in GBV and marginalization of women during the Covid-19 period.
The UN and development partners have also agreed to an initial six-month work plan to strengthen Kenya's response to the pandemic at both national and county levels.
The interventions, which have been formulated in line with the Covid-19 Contingency Plan developed by the Government of Kenya, include advocacy and outreach to prevent an increase in GBV, cash transfers to build the resilience of vulnerable populations, procurement of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for health facilities, deployment of experienced medical personnel to the counties, and support to national and county governments for business continuity and enhancement of human capital.
Speaking to partners during a teleconference, UNDP Resident Representative in Kenya, Mr. Walid Badawi, highlighted the criticality of adapting to the changing conditions and thanked partners for their responsiveness.
"We are living in extraordinary times: recognizing the reality of the current situation, today we are adapting this devolution support programme to better assist Kenyans in the fight against COVID-19. I applaud the flexibility and generosity of our partners, the Government of Kenya and the governments of Finland, Italy and Sweden for their approval to use existing funds to support rapid response," Mr. Badawi said.
