A United Nations, UN, finance support platform tagged: “One UN Covid-19 Response Basket Fund”, has stated that it has received an additional $1 million, to help Nigeria address the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic.
The UN Development Programme, UNDP, which manages the Basket Fund, made this known in a statement on Tuesday, in Abuja.
The statement quoted Mohamed Yahya, the UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, as saying that the additional fund is to aid Nigeria, as it witnesses a rapid rise in the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases.
Yahya disclosed that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation donated $1 million dollars in support of the Nigerian government, in addressing the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, on July 14, 2020.
He disclosed that the UN welcomed the contribution of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, as it aims to support the country’s response in the management of the crisis, and the realities of post-crisis, particularly in the protection of vulnerable persons.
He added that “as a recognised Covid-19 Response Financing and Investment platform, this facility provides us a timely opportunity to stand with Nigeria, and channel financial contributions toward the Covid-19 multi-sectoral response.
“Working as one UN, enables us to minimise the risk of duplication of efforts, and ensures efficient mobilisation and rapid deployment of resources.”
The UNDP Resident Representative, added that the unfolding Covid-19 situation in Nigeria, calls for solidarity and coordinated support to the government,to the response plan of the country.
“Through the Basket Fund, the UN aims to ensure policy coherence, programmatic alignment, harmonisation, and coordination of support to the Government of Nigeria during the time of crisis’’, Yahya noted.
Recall, that the UN, in collaboration with the Nigerian government, launched the One UN Covid-19 Response Basket Fund, on April 6, 2020.
The Basket Fund serves as the One Covid-19 Financing and Investment platform, through which different Stakeholders can channel their financial support to the multi-sectoral efforts of the Presidential Task Force, PTF, on Covid-19 Response.
The overall management of the One UN Covid-19 Response Basket Fund, is led and coordinated by the Project Board.
The Project Board has representation from the Presidential Task Force, Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, relevant government Departments, fund contributing donors, and the UN.