The COVID-19 pandemic, a disease caused by the new coronavirus, caused the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners to create a fund to respond to the problem.
The Solidarity Response Fund for COVID-19, the first of its kind, allows individuals, companies, and institutions from around the world to come together to contribute directly to global response efforts. The initiative was created by the United Nations Foundation and the Swiss Philanthropy Foundation, with WHO.
“Many people and institutions have said that they want to contribute to the fight against the new coronavirus. Now they can, “said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of WHO.
The Fund is being launched with the support of large companies such as Google and Facebook. Both created a service to raise financial resources on their platforms.
Resources will be directed to the most vulnerable and at-risk countries or with the most fragile health systems. The idea is to speed up the detection of cases, interrupt the transmission of the virus and take care of the affected people.
Donations can be made directly at www.COVID19ResponseFund.org or via bank transfer. In this case, you need to contact COVID19Fund@unfoundation.org.
Last Friday (13), the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, pointed out that organizations linked to the UN system are fully mobilized. “More than ever, governments must cooperate to revitalize economies, expand public investment, boost trade and ensure targeted support for people and groups most affected by the disease or most vulnerable to negative economic impacts,” he said.
UN promotes remote work
The UN has also taken steps to protect its employees and all those who use its offices around the world. In an e-mail sent to all UN officials over the weekend, Guterres emphasized that the Organization “remains open for business”, but that the work will be carried out “in different locations, using different technologies”.
All UN personnel in Geneva and Vienna started working from home on Monday. The same strategy was adopted at the UN headquarters in Africa, UNON, in Nairobi and at the organization’s headquarters in New York.
“These measures are taken under clear medical guidance and with the well-being of employees and their families as a central priority,” said a joint statement by the heads of the main organizations based in Vienna. “As part of the community in our host country, Austria, we can all help to try to contain the spread of COVID-19 and reduce the risk of transmission.”