A Coordinated Response to Coronavirus

On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) characterized the coronavirus (COVID-19) viral disease as a pandemic, but it is a pandemic that can be controlled. Coronavirus (COVID-19) is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus.  ”  

The UN Secretary-General urged all countries to take a comprehensive approach tailored to their circumstances – with containment as the central pillar. COVID-19 is affecting thousands of people, impacting countries’ health systems and having widespread social and economic effects. The UN entities working on development, the United Nations Sustainable Development Group, are supporting countries in their preparedness and response plans.

A story on the visual review of key actions taken by the UN Team in BiH during the immediate response to the Covid-19 outbreak in BiH can be seen here, and the translated visual overview here. Regular updates on the response and recovery work of the UN team in BiH are provided in the Situation Reports.  

The new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is attacking societies at their core, claiming lives and people’s livelihoods. The potential longer-term effects on the global economy and those of individual countries are dire. In a new report launched 31 March, Shared responsibility, global solidarity: Responding to the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19, the United Nations Secretary-General calls on everyone to act together to address this impact and lessen the blow to people. 

To that end, the Secretary-General has established a dedicated COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund to support efforts in low- and middle-income countries. Its approach underpins the reformed UN with a coordinated multi-agency, multi-sectoral response for priority national and local actions to address the socioeconomic impact of the COVID-19 crisis.

More information translated for BiH found here:  https://bosniaherzegovina.un.org/sites/default/files/2020-04/UN_Covid19%20Response_izvjestaj%20sazetak.pdf 

This Report is complemented with a Roadmap published 27 April, aimed to serve the United Nations teams across the world in shaping Covid-19 recovery efforts (within 5 key streams of action); more information translated for BiH found here: https://bosniaherzegovina.un.org/index.php/en/43415-new-normal-un-lays-out-roadmap-lift-economies-and-save-jobs-after-covid-19

Making sure that no one is left behind during response and recovery efforts, the United Nations are providing thematic policy briefs and recommendations, including:

• Human Rights and Covid-19 (translation for BiH): https://bosniaherzegovina.un.org/en/42822-human-rights-and-covid19-we-are-all-together
• Impact on Children: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z02W9zh5v6Q  https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/policy_brief_on_covid_impact_on_children_16_april_2020.pdf
• Impact on Women:  https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/policy_brief_on_covid_impact_on_women_9_apr_2020_updated.pdf
• Impact on Older People (translation for BiH): https://bosniaherzegovina.un.org/en/44219-our-response-covid-19-must-respect-rights-and-dignity-older-people
• Disability- Inclusive Response: https://www.un.org/en/coronavirus/we-have-unique-opportunity-design-and-implement-more-inclusive-and-accessible-societies 
• Impact on People on the Move: https://www.un.org/en/coronavirus/covid-19-crisis-opportunity-reimagine-human-mobility 
• Impact on Mental Health: https://www.un.org/en/coronavirus/mental-health-services-are-essential-part-all-government-responses-covid-19

In adapting the global UN policy recommendations to Bosnia and Herzegovina context, the UN team in BiH is undertaking 30 thematic assessments at the moment. The assessments will help strengthen health, economic and social response and recovery in BiH. This running list will be updated as of June 2020; finalized and available assessments are:

• Covid-19 Economic Impact Assessment and the Economic Pulse of BiH - as conducted by UNDP BiH: https://bosniaherzegovina.un.org/en/47723-economic-recovery-requires-urgent-and-comprehensive-interventions
• Accompanying presentation of key results: https://bit.ly/EIACOVID_UNDPBiH_Presentation  

This page convenes sources of information and guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) regarding the current outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19). WHO is working closely with global experts, governments and partners to track the spread and to provide guidance to countries and individuals on measures to protect health and prevent the spread of this outbreak.

A Partners Platform for international response to the Covid-19 outbreak has been set-up and can be accessed here: https://covid-19-response.org/  

To stay up to date with the latest information, please visit:

• World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
• Latest news on the United Nations’ response: https://news.un.org/en/events/un-news-coverage-coronavirus-outbreak
• WHO guidance for countries: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Situation: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/685d0ace521648f8a5beeeee1b9125cd

For specific guidelines and thematic statements, the list below is updated on a regular basis:

• WHO Interim Guidelines for Home Care of Covid-19 Patients (translated for BiH): https://bosniaherzegovina.un.org/en/38812-home-care-patients-covid-19-presenting-mild-symptoms-and-management-their-contacts 
• WHO Introduction Course on Covid (tailored for health workers, open access to everyone and translated for BiH): https://openwho.org/courses/introduction-to-COVID-19-SR?fbclid=IwAR1YPRIFJUqm-cpDDTXx5CO1Oei5hpUEWpAmJUrG6XXgMVOXZ--oEBecegQ 
• WHO Course on Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) Treatment Facility Design: https://openwho.org/courses/SARI-facilities?fbclid=IwAR3kQy_wZ0NTjkjTE8nB92T9DoF6SPd8p_gcgg6o6_n4p5yi9O24pV6A5d0 
• WHO Course on Putting and Removing Personal Protective Equipment in dealing with Covid-19: https://openwho.org/courses/IPC-PPE-EN?fbclid=IwAR3QEi7ewJu5eyHYu0q5yHj…;
• WHO Course on Standard precautions and Hand hygiene: https://openwho.org/courses/IPC-HH-en?fbclid=IwAR3ektYBlgpTVOqOl39KH--L…;
• UNICEF, WHO and IFRC Guidance to Protect Children and Support Safe School Operations: https://bosniaherzegovina.un.org/en/37505-covid-19-unicef-who-and-ifrc-issue-guidance-protect-children-and-support-safe-school
• UNICEF, WHO and IFRC Guidance on Covid-19 Stigma (translated for BiH): https://bosniaherzegovina.un.org/en/39469-covid-19-vodic-za-sprecavanje-drustvene-stigme 
• UNDP BiH Sub-page with Calls and Invitations to Bid for procurement of Covid-19 Response Supplies - and latest information on UNDP actions:  https://www.ba.undp.org/content/bosnia_and_herzegovina/en/home/presscenter/articles/2020/covid-19-pandemic.html 
• UNDP Info-graphic on Integrated Covid19 Response in BiH: https://bit.ly/IntegratedResponseUNDPBiH
• UNESCO: Covid-19 Global Education Coalition overview and launch: https://en.unesco.org/covid19/globaleducationcoalition 
• UNESCO: Time Magazine Op-Ed by Director General Audrey Azoulay and Angelina Jolie on Covid-19 Global Education Coalition: https://time.com/5810017/coronavirus-school-closings-education-unesco/
• UNESCO: Response to the impact of Covid-19 to Culture:   https://en.unesco.org/covid19/cultureresponse  
• UNFPA Statement on COVID-19 with Regard to Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers: https://bosniaherzegovina.un.org/en/38142-statement-covid-19-regard-pregnant-women-and-lactating-mothers
• UNFPA Global Response Appeal for Safe Delivery During Covid-19 Outbreak: https://ba.unfpa.org/en/news/safe-delivery-even-now-unfpa-coronavirus-disease-covid-19-global-response-appeal 
• UNFPA Guidance Note on Intensified Risks for Women and Girls During the Pandemic (translated for BiH): https://ba.unfpa.org/bs/publications/covid-19-kroz-prizmu-rodne-ravnopravnosti 
• UNFPA Covid-19 Guidance and Advice for Elderly Population (translated for BiH):  https://bosniaherzegovina.un.org/en/39470-unfpa-covid-19-guidelines-and-advice-elderly-population 
• UNFPA Covid-19 Q&A for pregnant women and safe deliveries (translated for BiH): https://www.facebook.com/notes/unfpa-bosnia-and-herzegovina/pitanja-i-odgovori-o-covid-19-trudno%C4%87i-poro%C4%91aju-i-dojenju/2745435218907341/?__tn__=HH-R 
• UNFPA Executive Director Statement for World Health Day on Protecting Midwives to ensure safe deliveries during Covid-19 Pandemics (translated for BiH):https://ba.unfpa.org/bs/news/svjetski-dan-zdravlja-za%C5%A1titimo-babice-kako-bi-%C5%BEene-i-bebe-bile-sigurne-u-toku-pandemije-covid 
• ILO Statement and Initial Assessment on Covid19 Impact to Jobs and Work: https://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/newsroom/news/WCMS_738742/lang--en/index.htm
• ILO Monitor on Covid-19 and the World of Work: https://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/WCMS_740877/lang--en/index.htm 
• ILO Social Protection Monitor on Covid-19: https://www.social-protection.org/gimi/ShowWiki.action?id=3417 
• ILO Rapid Social Protection Calculator for Covid-19: https://www.social-protection.org/gimi/ShowRessource.action?id=56007 
• ILO: Database on Country policy responses: https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/coronavirus/country-responses/lang--e…;
• ILO: An employer's guide on managing your workplace during Covid-19: https://www.ilo.org/actemp/publications/WCMS_740212/lang--en/index.htm&…;
• ILO: Standards and Covid-19: https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_norm/---normes/documents…
• ILO COVID-19 impact on the collection of labour market statistics: https://ilostat.ilo.org/topics/covid-19/covid-19-impact-on-labour-marke…;
• ILO Technical note on Monitoring labour markets amid lockdowns to contain the COVID-19 virus: Essen-tial labour force survey content and treatment of special groups: https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---dgreports/---stat/documents…;
• ILO Set of briefs on Covid-19 impact to specific sectors: https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/coronavirus/sectoral/lang--en/index.h…;
• ILO Portal on Enterprises and Covid-19: https://www.ilo.org/empent/areas/covid-19/lang--en/index.htm 
• ILO Specific guidance for employment intensive works: https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_emp/documents/publicatio…;
• ILO Report for the World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2020 “In the face of a pandemic: Ensuring Safety and Health at Work”: https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_protect/---protrav/---sa…;
• ILO Recommendations for Workers and Employers: https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/coronavirus/lang--en/index.htm
• ILO Blog-post "Precarious workers pushed to the edge by Covid-19": https://iloblog.org/2020/03/20/precarious-workers-pushed-to-the-edge-by-covid-19/
• IOM and UNHCR Statement on Temporary Suspension of Resettlement Travel for Refugees: https://www.iom.int/news/iom-unhcr-announce-temporary-suspension-resettlement-travel-refugees?fbclid=IwAR0i_FqsjWVQ5o5S1HxNDdpGiuv3J_AOrAHKrsZ6fKKGqIbBbgRJXTs8qQI 
• IOM, UNHCR and UNICEF Story: Online learning for children and social action in receptions centers accommodating migrants, refugees and asylum seekers: https://unsdg.un.org/latest/stories/their-greatest-challenge-yet-migrants-and-refugees-square-against-covid-19-bosnia 
• IOM: Global mobility database for locations, status and different restrictions of points of entry and exit during Covid-19: https://migration.iom.int/reports/summary-points-entry-baseline-assessment-%E2%80%94-108-countries-26-march-2020?close=true&fbclid=IwAR3xWRoibdZgH8OGS0-Hez0Yj-2aRThNiGeMIXUeFYEeJ9FNtIXlOHw8q3s 
• IOM: Regional AVRR Project - Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration - focused on support for people who are considering return to their country of origin, featuring content on Covid-19 translated into relevant languages: https://avrr-wb.com/  and YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl-5ARcLrmz6U9VpvoN6IiQ?view_as=subscriber 
• UNAIDS: What People Living with HIV Need to Know on Covid19: https://www.unaids.org/en/20200317_covid19_hiv 
• UNICEF Recommendations for Employers on Flexible Working Arrangements (translated for BiH): https://wcmsprod.unicef.org/bih/izvje%c5%a1taji/preporuke-za-poslodavce-o-fleksibilnim-radnim-uslovima 
• UNICEF Key Messages and Actions for COVID-19- Prevention and Control in Schools (translated for BiH): https://www.unicef.org/bih/izvje%C5%A1taji/glavne-poruke-i-mjere-za-prevenciju-i-kontrolu-covid-19-u-%C5%A1kolama 
• UN Women: Looking at Covid-19 Response Through Position of Women: https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2020/3/news-womens-needs-and-leadership-in-covid-19-response 
• UN Women: Statement by the Executive Director on Women Front and Center in Covid-19 response translated for BiH:  https://bit.ly/2wYls2Z
• UN Women: Integrating Gender Perspectives into Covid-19 preventive measures, translated letter for the BiH Council of Ministers: https://www.facebook.com/notes/un-women-bosnia-and-herzegovina/un-women…;
• UN Women: Deputy Executive Director Åsa Regnér’s “Checklist for COVID-19 response”: https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2020/3/news-checklist-for-covid…;
• UN Women: Women and COVID-19 - Five things governments can do now: https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2020/3/news-women-and-covid-19-…;
• UN Women Video: How are women uniquely impacted by crises like COVID-19? Translated for BiH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKMbtooBlmQ&feature=youtu.be 
• UNODC Dedicated Page with Technical Guidance: https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/covid-19.html 
• UNECE: Global Dashboard For Border Crossings during Covid-19 measures: https://wiki.unece.org/display/CTRBSBC/Bosnia+and+Herzegovina 

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, please follow official information as published by:

• World Health Organization Country Office:                                                   https://twitter.com/WHO_BIH                                                           https://www.facebook.com/WHOBIH/
• United Nations Country Team:                                                                         https://twitter.com/UN_BiH                                                 https://www.facebook.com/UnitedNationsBiH/
• Health Institutes Official Websites:                                                          (FBiH) https://www.zzjzfbih.ba/covid-19/                                                           (RS) https://www.phi.rs.ba/index.php?view=kategorija&id=45 
• Brcko District of BiH daily reports http://www.vlada.bdcentral.net/Content/Read/dnevni-izvjestaji