Coordinating Multi-Sectoral Covid-19 Response & Recovery in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The United Nations Team in Bosnia and Herzegovina presents a visual review of some of the key actions taken during the immediate response to the Covid-19 outbreak. Activities cover March – May 2020 period.

The Covid-19 pandemic is an unprecedented global health crisis in modern times that has spread human suffering, destabilized the global economy and upended the lives of billions of people across the globe. Thus, the response to it and the actions taken towards the recovery need to be multi-sectoral, cross-cutting and inclusive. At the onset of the crisis, the United Nations Team in BiH immediately engaged across different levels to enable coordinated efforts assisting the authorities in BiH to fight the pandemic, supporting the health system, the economy, educational system, and making sure no one is left behind in these challenging times.

The initial months of the pandemic response affected all people, which necessitated swift and targeted action. During the first sixty days of the response to Covid-19 (March – May), the UN team in BiH focused on:

• Immediate support to health systems and frontline workers
• Reaching the most vulnerable
• Rapid Needs Assessments & Action
• Social Media Outreach and Risk Communication
• Leaving No One Behind in Reception Centers for asylum seekers, refugees and migrants
• Engaging our Partners and Beneficiaries

A visual review of the actions taken in the March - May 2020 period are presented here:

• ENG: https://bosniaherzegovina.un.org/sites/default/files/2020-06/COVID19%20Infographic_ENG%20final.pdf 
• BCS:https://bosniaherzegovina.un.org/sites/default/files/2020-06/COVID19%20Infographic_BHS_final.pdf

A Fact Sheet providing the current snapshot of the situation and consolidated efforts by the UN in BiH is presented here: https://bosniaherzegovina.un.org/sites/default/files/2020-06/2020_06_16_Infographics_Factsheet%20%28002%29.pdf 

I am pleased to be able to show some of the activities that the United Nations has contributed to the COVID19 response in Bosnia and Herzegovina in partnership and solidarity with the authorities and our partners. At the start of the crisis, the entire UN team moved quickly to refocus our efforts and expertise to ensure vital assistance reached the people in most need and who are most vulnerable. However, as we see from the dire social and economic impacts, much more still remains to be done. We have developed our first phase of a comprehensive plan for socio-economic recovery matched to the realties and needs in Bosnia and Herzegovina with a focus on building back more equal, inclusive and sustainable economies and societies, said Ms. Ingrid Macdonald, the UN Resident Coordinator in BiH.

All we do would not be possible without all our partners in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including the authorities in BiH at all levels, the European Union, AICS, GEF, USAID, the Governments of China, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, USA and the new ones we forge every day.

For specific information on programs, activities, donors or partners for different UN Agencies in BiH – kindly consult the relevant agency website or contact us (rco.ba@un.org). For a more detailed overview of the UN’s coordinated response to Covid-19 and a running list of thematic resources, kindly see here: https://bosniaherzegovina.un.org/en/37920-coordinated-response-coronavirus