UNICEF to scale up distribute health and hygiene supplies across Latin America and Caribbean

UNICEF is stepping up donations of health and hygiene items for families and doctors in 12 countries in Latin America and Caribbean, stricken by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Globally, there is a high demand for protective equipment and health supplies to prevent COVID-19, and this region is no exception,” said Bernt Aasen, UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean.

“This is where UNICEF steps in. Keeping health workers safe is paramount and we are making every effort to help them do their everyday life-saving job.”

In last three weeks, UNICEF has granted an increasing number of health and hygiene supplies to state institutions or families in 12 countries in Latin America and also the Caribbean. Products locally acquire and distributed included hand sanitizer, soap, water supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) along with masks, gowns, gloves, disposable face shields, goggles and coveralls, among others.

Two weeks back, a UNICEF humanitarian consignment landed in Caracas, Venezuela too, with approximately 90 tonnes of critical health supplies, including PPE kits to enable identification of 28,000 suspected COVID-19 patients, and emergency kits for 110,000 people to treat COVID-19 patients with severe respiratory problems.

Despite extreme market conditions and logistical constraints, UNICEF is about to ship about 52 tonnes of significant supplies to be distributed within the coming weeks and months in Latin America and also the Caribbean for the COVID-19 response, including:

•        220,000 face masks

•        50,000 coveralls

•        32,400 disposable face shields

•        1,500 goggles

•        2,400 thermometers

•        5,000 tests

•        65 oxygen concentrators

In addition to the international shipments, UNICEF offices within the region also are attempting to find and acquiring critical supplies in local markets to support local economies.

“The first distribution of health and hygiene items took place in countries and more is planned in the coming weeks,” said Bernt Aasen, UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean.

“This pandemic is a moving target; needs are now growing day by day in each country across the region. Both globally and locally, our teams are searching for hygiene products and personal protective equipment to reach families and health workers with essential supplies as soon as possible.”

Jointly with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other UN agencies, governments and native partners, UNICEF is at the forefront of the battle against COVID-19 through preventative actions in affected countries, including the spreading of life-saving messaging campaigns and provision of hygiene and medical kits to health and other facilities.

As a part of the UN coordinated response to COVID-19, UNICEF is contributing to prevent the spread of the pandemic and mitigate collateral impacts for kids, women and vulnerable families, including the risks of necessary social services being disrupted.

Earlier this year UNICEF pleads for US$48 million to support its emergency response in the area. So far, but 15 per cent of the requisite funding has been collected.

This article has been posted by a News Hour Correspondent. For queries, please contact through [email protected]
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