![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dominicanewsonline.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/UNDP_logo.svg-642x1300.png\"){kind=logo}
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
As the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has taken steps to help the region manage the crisis more effectively.<\/p>\n
The developmental organisation has collaboratively been working with the governments of the Caribbean to develop a COVID-19 Response programme designed to help the restart the region\u2019s economies.<\/p>\n
The initiative, entitled \u201ceFUTURE is now. Jobs. Businesses. Lives.\u201d, recognizes that for many countries in the Eastern Caribbean, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will reinforce existing social and economic vulnerabilities. The UNDP programme seeks to provide relevant support and resources to address vulnerabilities.<\/p>\n
Resident Representative a.i. for UNDP in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Mr. Ugo Blanco commented on the programme, stating, \u201cUNDP\u2019s response programme combines urgent action with quick results, strategic planning, data analytics and long-term impact. An urgent response should not be the only answer to tackle the pandemic.<\/p>\n
An effective response must be driven by solidarity, science and human rights, whilst focusing on the most vulnerable people.\u201d The programme consists of three main pillars: \u2018addressing the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19\u2019 (Pillar 1), \u2018inclusive and multi-sectoral crisis management and response\u2019 (Pillar 2) and \u2018resilient health systems to respond to COVID-19, including health procurement support\u2019 (Pillar 3).<\/p>\n
Thus far, each pillar of the programme has achieved a number of milestones. One such milestone under Pillar 1 includes the completion of the Human and Economic Assessment of Impact (HEAT) Report series, conducted by the United Nations Sub-Regional Team in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean.<\/p>\n
The report series formed part of the combined offer from the UN system to support countries in their response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Coordinated by the United Nations Development Programme, UNICEF and UN Women, the publications model a number of possible impacts on economic growth, poverty and government finances and identifies and examines a range of relevant interventions and strategic recommendations needed to promote relief and resilience in the Caribbean.<\/p>\n
Additionally, in keeping with pillar 2 objectives, UNDP has thus far provided Micro, Small and Medium- sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in the various territories with grant support totalling US$134,000 \u2014 \u201cThis funding is intended to help these businesses digitize their operations to better thrive in this new highly technological age,\u201d stated Blanco.<\/p>\n
He further added, \u201csome territories have also received technical support to help improve their capacity to produce PPE, stimulating both the manufacturing industry and improving the capacity of the healthcare system.\u201d<\/p>\n
UNDP has also been working with governments and key stakeholders to provide support for many of essential services and frontline workers under Pillar 3, by sourcing high-quality personal protective equipment (PPE) and other necessary healthcare tools.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe goal is to enable governments to effectively respond to their respective nations\u2019 needs, by helping them overcome the severe disruptions in the global supply chain for key healthcare and ancillary supplies and equipment crucial to the crisis response,\u201d commented Blanco.<\/p>\n
\u201cUNDP\u2019s extensive logistics experience in the health sector procurement helps to ensure quality assurance, products from reputable suppliers and manufacturers, as well as efficient, timely and cost-effective procurement.\u201d
\nFor more information on the COVID-19 response programme, \u2018eFuture is now\u2019, visit bb.undp.org.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"As the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has taken steps to help the region manage the crisis more effectively. The developmental organisation has collaboratively been working with the governments of the…","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":196516,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_cbd_carousel_blocks":"[]","footnotes":""},"categories":[77,235,9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-256639","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-homepage","category-homepage-carousel","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n