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UNDP/Fahad Kaizer With support from UNDP, community workers in Bangladesh are working on the ground distributing hygiene packages and promoting coronavirus prevention awareness.         28 April 2020 Health A major UN-led initiative is under way to secure supplies of key medical equipment for 135 low to medium-income countries facing down the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday. The  COVID-19  taskforce initiative follows a direct request to  WHO  from UN  Secretary-General António Guterres  to coordinate the Organization’s response to the new  coronavirus . Demand 200 times greater than normal Coronavirus Portal & News Updates Readers can find information and guidance on the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) from the UN, World Health Organization and UN agencies here. For daily news updates from UN News, click here. It comes amid unprecedented global shortages of critical supplies, skyrocketing prices and export bans, said Paul Molina

© UNICEF/Khalil Ashawi Syrian families sought safety in Afrin in January 2020, in north rural Aleppo governorate, after fleeing conflict in Idlib.         29 April 2020 Peace and Security Syria desperately needs a nationwide ceasefire to enable its war-weary citizens to access the equipment and resources necessary to combat COVID-19, the UN’s top envoy for the country told the Security Council on Wednesday.   “We cannot afford hostilities which would surely lead to another surge in displaced vulnerable communities”, Geir O. Pedersen said via video-teleconference. “We could not afford this scenario before the pandemic; the price could only be higher now”. UN Web TV ✔ @UNWebTV UN Envoy for # Syria , @ GeirOPedersen echoed @ UN Secretary-General @ antonioguterres call for an immediate global cease-fire in the country to combat # COVID19 . 13 8:04 PM - Apr 29, 2020 Twi

Samuel Akoehomen/IOM Covid-19 sensitization with WaSH committee at Bama GSSSS camp, 27 March 2020.         30 April 2020 Health In northeast Nigeria, where armed conflict has forced millions from their homes, the UN’s migration agency, IOM, is supporting the construction of quarantine shelters, as the region braces for an outbreak of COVID-19 which, it warns, would have ‘devastating consequences’ for those who have been displaced.  Displaced people there already face outbreaks of several deadly diseases, including cholera, malaria and measles, and fighting has severely weakened the health system: more than a third of facilities have been destroyed in attacks, and there is limited access to drinking water and sanitation infrastructure.  IOM  fears an outbreak of  COVID-19  would exacerbate the current situation, placing further stress on disrupted health systems, and potentially overwhelm the response capacity of international humanitarian agencies. A rise in cases is also likely to inc

UN health agency working on strategies to gradually lift COVID-19 restrictions UN Photo/Evan Schneider A wide view of Grand Central Terminal with an unusually sparse crowd during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in New York City.         10 April 2020 Health The World Health Organization (WHO) is working with countries on strategies to "gradually and safely" ease stay-at-home restrictions aimed at containing the spread of the new coronavirus, agency chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told journalists on Friday, though he cautioned against any sudden action. " WHO  wants to see restrictions lifted as much as anyone", he  said . "At the same time, lifting restrictions too quickly could lead to a deadly resurgence. The way down can be as dangerous as the way up if not managed properly". Tedros laid out six factors for consideration, which include that transmission is controlled and sufficient public health and medical services are available.

UN News/Anton Uspensky Outdoor group sports have been banned in New York to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.         6 April 2020 Health Running tracks, gyms and swimming pools may be closed, as part of government-imposed lockdowns in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it is more important than ever to remain physically active. This is the message on this year’s  International Day of Sport for Development and Peace.   With more and more people stuck indoors for most of the day, it can be a struggle to remain physically and mentally healthy. However, the UN health agency ( WHO ) insists that it is more important than ever, and is achievable, even in small spaces, and without any equipment. There is also a wide range of free and accessible online tools, such as videos and fitness apps, giving tips on working out from home, and other ways to stay healthy. WHO is recommending that all healthy adults do at least 30 minutes of exercise per day, and children at least an hour a da