In a letter to their partners, the High Commissioner for Refugees Mr Filippo Gandi informed them that UNHCR is "working swiftly on easing some of the hurdles resulting from contractual obligations which can prevent flexible responses." According to Mr Grandi, this initiative started before the COVID-19 crisis, and UNHCR is now advancing this process. To accelerate response to the COVID-19 crisis, UNHCR will simplify certain administrative, procurement and other processes, including the ability to quickly engage new partners. See the full letter below.
As the COVID-19 pandemic deepens economic and social stress coupled with restricted movement and social isolation measures, gender-based violence is increasing exponentially. Many women are being forced to ‘lockdown’ at home with their abusers at the same time that services to support survivors are being disrupted or made inaccessible. All of these impacts are further amplified in contexts of fragility, conflict, and emergencies where social cohesion is already undermined and institutional capacity and services are limited.
The 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) has the potential to lead to increased rates of complex illness in personnel and recognized dependents, and hence to an increased need for medical evacuation (MEDEVAC). However wide-ranging limitations in movement between countries designed to slow the spread of COVID-19 globally requires that duty stations address an actual decrease in overall MEDEVAC capability. This document from the United Nations Department of Operational Support provides guidance for missions and country offices on MEDEVAC in the context of COVID-19.
Advice of the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture to the National Preventive Mechanism of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland regarding compulsory quarantine for Coronavirus, adopted at its 40th session (10 to 14 February 2020).
