UN, FG & ENUGU STATE GOVT NEED TO STRENGTHEN COVID-19 RESPONSE— UN RESIDENT & HUMANITARIAN COORDINATOR

Reporter: EMEFIENA OKONKWO

The United Nations (UN) Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Edward kallon, has urged people in the country to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and maintain the protocol put in place to contain the pandemic. Mr. Kallon gave the advice in Enugu during working visit to Enugu State Governor, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and members of the State Executive Council.

The UN Humanitarian Coordinator commended the state government for its investment in health education and Infrastructure as well as other critical sectors, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. Mr. Kallon called for strengthening of UN-Enugu State and Federal Government collaborations on wide range of areas, especially response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which had seen the UN among other interventions, making available seventy-three million dollars for the country, through the Basket Fund. The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, however, expressed deep concern about security challenges in the country, stressing the need for unity among Nigerians in tackling these emerging challenges.

Earlier in a remark, the Enugu State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ikechukwu Obi, noted that the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in parts of the world including Nigeria, proved that the deadly virus was still around, hence the need for sustained observance of social distancing, wearing of face mask, wasing of hands with soap and use of alcohol based hand sanitizer. Dr Obi encouraged the public to ensure that they get vaccinated against the deadly virus.

The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator was accompanied to the visit by Heads of UN Agencies in the country and other Development Partners, including the Chief, UNICEF, Enugu Field Office, Dr. Ibrahim Conteh.