Group releases multi-sector coronavirus response plan

**Sister Maryanne Konkule of the Tarakbits health centre in Western, washing her hands following a workshop at the Rumginae rural hospital. – Picture courtesy of the United Nations**

THERE is a need to address the gaps exacerbated by the Covid-19 despite a significant amount of money spent on the response plan around the country, a group says.
The disaster management team made of the United Nations agencies, non-government and faith-based organisations and international donor partners is co-chaired by the Government and UN resident coordinator Gianluca Rampolla.
It released a revised version of its multi-sector response plan that addressed the gaps, targeting 2.3 million people around the nation.
National Pandemic Controller David Manning welcomed the revision of the plan saying the Covid-19 was not only a health issue.
“It has also affected us in other ways that requires our collective attention,” he said. “We hope this revised plan, which highlights the funding gaps remaining in non-health areas, will draw the attention of our international partners to continue providing support that will help us respond to and live with the Covid-19,” he said.
The US$112.8 million (K399mil) plan involves the team and Government departments to provide solutions to the Covid-19 situation.
It identifies water, sanitation and hygiene, protection and food security as lacking funding.
“Wash, protection and food security are in critical need of international assistance,” Rampolla said.
“This support can help the country respond and live with this virus.”
He said the updated plan “focuses on gaps, meeting the needs of the most vulnerable people, and, jointly with Government partners, attempts to address the most critical primary and secondary impacts of this public health emergency”.