Handover of PPE supplies and oxygen containers by UNICEF to the GRZ

Handover of PPE supplies and oxygen containers by UNICEF to the Government of the Republic of Zambia

Remarks by United Nations Resident Coordinator, Dr. Coumba Mar Gadio

• Honourable Minister of Health, Dr Chitalu Chilufya
• The Permanent Secretary for Technical Services in the Ministry of Health,
  Dr. Kennedy Malama
• Managing Director of Medical Stores Limited
• Senior Government Officials
• UN colleagues
• Ambassador Designate of the Federal Republic of Germany to Zambia, Her Excellency Mrs Anne Wagner Mitchell
• The Director of the KFW Bank in Zambia, Mr Stefan Lutz
• Cooperating Partners
• Members of the Press
• Ladies and Gentlemen

I would like to thank you for the opportunity to make these remarks at this important handover of lifesaving equipment to the Ministry of Health.

The United Nations is a committed and long-term partner of the Government of the Republic of Zambia in support of sustainable development, including in humanitarian emergencies such as this. Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, the United Nations family in Zambia has supported government sectorial ministries to be at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19. Our support includes the development of a multisectoral Contingency and Response Plan and the launch of the UN Zambia COVID-19 Emergency Appeal. Our support is multi-sectoral, and we are here for the long-term development of Zambia.

Today’s handover represents another important milestone in our support to the Government, made possible through the generous funding of the Federal Republic of Germany through the KFW Development bank. The Government of Germany has a growing programme of support to Zambia through the United Nations including on-going support to refugees, to improving water and sanitation, and to combating the impact of climate shocks.

Today’s event marks the official start of a major partnership between Germany and UNICEF, in support of the Government’s COVID-19 response. The support we are providing, made possible through this generous funding, takes a multi-sectoral approach to helping Zambia combat COVID-19 and to building a stronger government system that serves the most vulnerable in society. Through this, we are helping the Government sustain essential services even at such a difficult time as this, so that while we push to reduce COVID-19 infections, we also aim to limit the wider economic and social impact.

Success in all this requires not just improved supplies and infrastructure, but a willingness from everyone in Zambia to play their part to stop this pandemic. So, I want to continue echoing the urgent advice shared daily by the Ministry of Health that we must never drop our guard with this disease. COVID-19 is real, and physical distancing, correct wearing of masks and regular handwashing with soap and water or a hand sanitizer are things that all of us can do to keep ourselves…our families…and others safe.

In closing, I wish to acknowledge the Government of Zambia’s leadership and commitment on fighting the COVID 19 pandemic in the country, a matter on which the UN remains available to support whenever required. We are in this fight together and together we shall overcome COVID-19.

I thank you.