UN Moldova provided assistance to over 500,000 vulnerable and marginalized people to cope with the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lubov, 30 years old single mother of four, is one of the recipients of such support. According to her, the survivor’s allowance does not cover all family needs, while the UN support is very useful, both the food and the hygiene products, IPN reports, quoting a press release of UN Moldova.
Exactly two years ago, the most ambitious reform of the UN development system in the history of the organization was launched, to deliver on the promise of the 2030 Agenda and change the way to act, respond and deliver results. The intention was to have a more efficient and responsive institution to requests, including urgent ones, from the Member States. The Republic of Moldova is among those over 162 countries in which the Resident Coordinator's Office were strengthened as a result of the reform. The team in Moldova is composed of ten local and international specialists, and led by the Resident Coordinator, the highest-ranking official representing the UN Secretary-General at the country level.
Simon Springett, UN Resident Coordinator in Moldova, said the purpose and expectations of a UN Resident Coordinator’s Office are very clear and, at the same time, ambitious - to coordinate the efforts of the UN development system in Moldova to support the country in the process of sustainable development. The office strengthens the complex process of development cooperation and coordination and effective communication and collaboration with UN Moldova agencies and funds, Government representatives, development partners, and other key actors involved.
The UN Moldova COVID19 Response and Recovery Plan was prepared under the auspices of the Resident Coordinator’s Office with the support of the government to address both emergency needs such as those of Liubov, as well as longer term recovery programs. Today, the plan includes 99 specific projects and actions meant to help the country and its citizens in times of crisis, of which 47 are currently being implemented or have already been completed.
The UN Moldova COVID19 Response and Recovery Plan is anchored in Human Rights and the over-riding goal to leave no citizen behind. Bea Ferenci, Head of UN Human Rights Office in Moldova, said human rights are at the core of the UN system's work, and at all times, including in times of crisis, it is essential to ensure that the support provided does not leave anyone behind. When programs, projects and actions are designed and ultimately implemented we work with all UN agencies to identify vulnerable and marginalized groups as well as civil society organizations through which aid can and will reach the most vulnerable.
Even before the first case of infection in Moldova, UN Moldova, through the UN Resident Coordinator's Office and WHO, was in constant communication with the Government, being one of the first development partners to provide assistance to the country in fighting the pandemic.
