UNFPA’s overall response to the COVID-19 pandemic centers on the continuity of sexual and reproductive health services (SRH) and gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response, risk communication and community engagement, and provision of lifesaving supplies including contraceptives, maternal health drugs and supplies, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
UNFPA has reached millions of women and adolescents with services, information and supplies. This includes over 5 million people assisted with integrated services in countries covered in the UN global humanitarian response plan.
While the disruption of SRH services and supplies is indicated in many countries, UNFPA support to maternal and newborn health is continuing globally. This includes efforts to reduce the disruption of access to modern contraceptives.
As the lead agency of the GBV Area of Responsibility under the UNHCR-led Protection Cluster, UNFPA is leading GBV coordination groups in 43 out of the 63 countries covered by the global humanitarian response plan.
GBV service provision in targeted geographic areas is improving. While 16 out of the 40 countries (where data was available as of July) initially saw significant GBV service interruptions, 26 of them have now maintained or expanded GBV services. This is a strong result for UNFPA. Where feasible, women and girls subjected to violence, including those with disabilities, are receiving essential services, and UNFPA is continuing to set up mechanisms to identify and report cases of GBV.
UNFPA contributed to the July update of the UN global humanitarian response plan, which is targeting nearly 250 million people with an appeal of $10.26 billion, up from the US$6.7 billion needed in May. UNFPA has developed a body of technical briefs to guide the work on ground, and in the context of the WHO global strategic preparedness and response plan, UNFPA COVID-19 global response plan and the UN Secretary-General’s policy briefs on COVID-19 response.
