Humanitarian Partners Meet for the Second Meeting on Eswatini’s COVID-19 Response

The UN in Eswatini and the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) hosted the second Humanitarian Partners Meeting in response to COVID-19. Held at Happy Valley Hotel in Ezulwini on Tuesday, 6th May, humanitarian partners gathered to further develop Eswatini’s COVID-19 response, in an effort to ensure that no one is left behind.

The UN Resident Coordinator, Ms Nathalie Ndongo-Seh, welcomed participants, stating;  “As we seek to develop a collective, integrated and coherent Humanitarian Response to COVID-19, it is with strength, resolve and renewed commitment  that we gather here today: knowing that, together, we will win that race against coronavirus whilst ensuring that no one is left behind in our individual and collective efforts.”

The second Humanitarian Partners Meeting took place at a time when COVID-19 continues to engulf  the world with 3.58 million cases worldwide and 252,000 deaths. Eswatini saw a stark rise in cases since partners last met, with 116 confirmed cases and one (1) death.

To enhance coordination, the UN shared with partners a new mapping tool, with the UN Resident Coordinator saying; “Solidarity, prevention, social mobilization, good coordination, and innovative partnerships are key to preventing any further spread and the devastation of COVID-19. We are here today, in solidarity, to enhance the coordination of our response, to improve prioritization and reduce duplications while ensuring that assistance and protection are provided to those who need them the most. To enhance our coordination, the UN will be honored to share with you, the OCHA 4W Mapping Tool: an online tool that maps the geographical presence of partners by sector and provides a graphical analysis of the number and type of partners in each sector.”

Partners were presented with updates from NDMA and individual sectors including: Social Protection, Education, Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition, Water and Sanitation, Logistics and Transport and Health. The Ministry of Health and WHO shared COVID-19 forecasts for Eswatini, whilst members endeavored to establish the way forward.

To conclude the meeting, the UN Resident Coordinator shared with partners that; “Enhanced coordination is needed in all aspects of the nation’s response. The UN is working alongside the Government and partners to intensify communications on COVID-19 prevention measures and encourage EmaSwati to take heed of these important measures to curb the spread of the virus. This Public Awareness and Sensitization Campaign will train volunteers, of whom over 50 volunteers partook in training yesterday, to disseminate messages using megaphones fitted on vehicles, posters, and other communications material within communities. Volunteers are focusing on reaching the most vulnerable in the areas at highest risk of COVID-19. We are in this battle together. I trust that we made much progress in today’s meeting. Thank you for your sustained dedication to beating COVID-19 in our Kingdom of Eswatini.”

Please follow this link to the read the UN Resident Coordinator’s full statement here: https://eswatini.un.org/en/44534-un-resident-coordinators-statement-second-humanitarian-partners-meeting-eswatinis-covid-19.