UN in Bangladesh Prepares Planning Document for Preparedness of COVID-19 Pandemic

In favor of the Government's reaction to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the United Nations in Bangladesh has prepared a strategy paper for the preparation and reaction program.

The document was jointly prepared by the United Nations in Bangladesh and concerned government counterparts with the participation of a variety of civil society stakeholders and other players, the UN said Saturday in Dhaka.

In line with WHO global guidance, the purpose of the document is to mobilize the United Nations agencies and partners in support of the Government’s response to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

In cooperation with the United Nations, civil society and the private sector, the Government of Bangladesh has quickly operationalized several initiatives, including imposed quarantine and isolation; improved danger communication; social distance; social protection; and the closing of schools and public spaces, a UN statement reads.

To represent the potential severity of the epidemic, the widely recognized modeling approaches directing this paper use the presumption of no actions to stop the spread of the virus.

The United Nations is fully supportive of the measures the Government of Bangladesh has been taking to slow the spread of COVID-19.

“The virus can spread rapidly if preventative measures are not put in place quickly.  We, therefore, urge everyone to comply with these measures. This will allow extra time for the Government and its partners, including the United Nations agencies, civil society, and the private sector, to strengthen medical capacity across the country and support the Government of Bangladesh in suppressing the pandemic.”