The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), on Sunday, gifted Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Maldives' COVID-19 response, as part of its COVID-19 Integrated Response Support.
The items were handed over to Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid by UNDP's Resident Representative in Maldives Akiko Fujii, in a symbolic ceremony held at the Foreign Ministry.
According to the ministry, the essential medical supplies include 1080 hazmat suits, 10,080 N95 masks, 5000 surgical gowns, 6000 surgical masks, 400 goggles, 6000 headcovers, 2000 face shields, 5000 shoe covers and 10,000 examination gloves.
Foreign Ministry noted that the PPE items will be used to support health workers on the frontline of the COVID-19 response, to safely and effectively continue their work while preventing further spread of the disease.
Speaking at the ceremony after receiving the items, Minister Shahid thanked UNDP for its continued support to Maldives through its development trajectory, especially noting UNDP’s support in the areas of climate action, the consolidation of democracy and the eradication of poverty.
Minister Shahid also highlighted the importance of effective partnerships in combating natural calamities such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to the PPEs, one million non-surgical masks, acquired in partnership with the private sector, were also donated to Maldives in the same ceremony.
These masks, gifted by Teochew International Federation, will be utilised by local tourism workers employed in guesthouses, in a bid to facilitate the economic recovery process under the new normal, which was a recommendation made in the Rapid Livelihoods Assessment conducted by the Ministry of Economic Development with the support of UNDP this year.
This assessment led to the designing and implementation of livelihoods and economic recovery programmes, such as providing immediate socio-economic relief to the most affected, in particular youth who lost jobs and women entrepreneurs.
During the ceremony, Akiko Fujii commended Maldives on the measures being undertaken in response to the COVID-19 outbreak and for the leadership in recovering and building back better.
"With this support, in addition to protecting health workers, the government and UNDP will effectively protect local tourism workers. As local tourism entities begin to re-open, PPEs will be critical in reducing transmission risks and minimizing the potential for the pandemic to escalate. It is important to ensure that those on the frontlines are protected, and that business continuity is supported in order to restore the country’s economy and people’s livelihoods - especially in the islands", Fujii said.
Building on the Rapid Livelihoods Assessment, UNDP’s ongoing collaborations under the latest offer 2.0 in the theme of “Beyond Recovery: Towards 2030” were adjusted to support Maldives in the context of the new normal under COVID-19 recovery. It includes a special focus on the climate and environment promise, as well as governance, women’s empowerment, justice and social cohesion.
The Maldivian government acknowledged the valuable role played by the United Nations Country Team amidst the COVID-19 pandemic to provide the necessary expertise, support and assistance required to overcome not only the health emergency but also for the long-term planning and recovery to build back better.
"The event today is a testimony to the power of partnerships to overcome the challenges faced by Small Island Developing States such as Maldives", Foreign Ministry said.
The handover ceremony was attended by the UN Resident Coordinator, Heads of UN Agencies in Maldives, and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Tourism.
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