United Nations, Nigerian Government launch coronavirus basket fund

The United Nations (UN) has launched coronavirus Basket Fund in collaboration with the Nigerian Government to harmonize Investments, and aimed to complement ongoing efforts to mobilise resources in support of the disease Multi-Sectoral Pandemic Response Plan, developed by the Presidential Task Force.

Penpushing reports that, a statement by the United Nations Resident Coordinator and Representative of the Secretary-General for Nigeria Mr Edward Kallon on Monday explained that, the Basket Fund will serve as the One COVID-19 Financing and Investment Platform for diverse stakeholders (UN and other multilaterals, bilaterals, private sector, foundations, philanthropists, among others).

The statement said this is to channel their financial support to ensure an efficient, effective and impactful response to the coronavirus pandemic, stressing that Basket Fund will be facilitated and implemented by the United Nations( UN) system in Nigeria, through a Project Management Board comprising representatives of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 Response, relevant Government agencies, contributing donors and the UN system.

“We applaud the Nigerian government at all levels for its efforts and measures to urgently mobilize resources to address the impact of COVID-19. But the Government cannot do it alone. For the country to succeed in fighting back the threat of the coronavirus pandemic, we must all come together across all sectors to support the government at this time of great need,”

‘The National COVID-19 Response Plan is developed around 10 pillars, encompassing scaling up surveillance, testing, isolation, contact tracing, infection prevention and control (including protection of medical staff), case management of critically unwell COVID-19 patients, risk communication and community engagement, research and emergency preparedness, security and logistics for mass care, and coordination and resource mobilization’.

‘The UN system is supporting the Government of Nigeria through the Basket Fund and urging others to invest in the 10 pillars of the national response plan. Where called upon by Government and donors, the Basket Fund will also fund socio-economic measures, such as cash transfers or food distribution to vulnerable groups adversely affected by measures instituted to control further spread of the pandemic’.

Penpushing also reports that, the statement said,under the delivering as one framework, the United Nations(UN) in Nigeria, through the Basket Fund, has already mobilized and deployed over USD $2 million from the United Nations(UN) system for the procurement of essential medical supplies that will boost the efforts of the Nigerian Government in containing virus and caring for those confirmed cases in need of serious medical attention.

The Chairperson of the Presidential Taskforce on coronavirus  response, Mr Boss Mustapha, while  reflecting on the magnitude of the impact of  the disease  and the need for actors to come together, stated that “the Government of Nigeria appreciates the role the UN is playing to rally partners to support the country’s efforts to fight  the pandemic, and that the operationalization of the COVID19 Basket fund will be a great help in complementing Government’s own efforts to coordinate mobilization and rapid deployment of assistance where it is needed the most.”

‘Other key donors have welcomed the creation of the Basket Fund as a mechanism to channel urgent assistance. At this time of need, Nigeria is not alone, the European Union is commiting to supporting the Government of Nigeria in addressing the challenges of the pandemic’.

The Head of European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS. Ambassador Ketil Karlsen said the coronavirus Basket Fund  will avails the opportunity to cooperate and act rapidly in the deployment of assistance that can help enhance the healthcare services and cushion the most vulnerable.

Penpushing reports that, Minister of Health for Nigeria, Dr Osagie Ehanire in his remarks said, “we must also commend the Executive Director of Global Fund for exhibiting flexibility, which has allowed Nigeria to submit a proposal to reprogramme savings from existing Global Funds grants to urgently scale up surveillance, diagnostics, infection control and other strategic measures to support the national COVID-19 response plan,”