The World Health Organization (WHO) is working closely with global experts, governments and partners to rapidly expand scientific knowledge on this new virus, to track the spread and virulence, and to provide advice to countries and individuals on measures to protect health and prevent the spread of this outbreak.
The Department of Peace Operations and the Department of Operational Support, including the Division of Healthcare Management and Occupational Safety and Health, are carefully reviewing all troop and police rotations scheduled over the coming six months. Some countries have been asked to delay rotations by three months to maintain operational strength and execute their mandated tasks.
In the meantime, peacekeeping missions are putting in place a series of mitigation measures to promote the safety, security and health of all UN personnel while maintaining continuity of operations. Leadership is in regular contact with troop- and police- contributing countries and working closely with the Department of Operational Support, the Office of Military Affairs and the Police Division to monitor the situation and advise governments according to the latest developments.
What are the UN travel arrangements for UN Staff travelling to/from Missions in the field?
Although per guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) there are currently no formal restrictions on travel for UN Secretariat staff, whether for official business, entitlements or recruitments/deployments, managers and individual staff have been requested to evaluate the criticality of all proposed travel arrangements, weighed against the risks to the traveler for any travel to or from meetings in affected areas experiencing ongoing transmission of COVID-19. These risks include those posed by both medical issues and evolving travel/border restrictions enacted by Member States.
UN Peacekeeping missions have similarly been requested to carefully assess the critically of all current and planned travel arrangements. All non-essential travel should be postponed or cancelled, and any future travel arrangements should be reviewed for criticality.
UN guidance and coverage on COVID-19
The latest developments related to this global health emergency are available on a dedicated UN website, through UN News and from WHO.
Global features
Medium piece: “Protect, Help, Explain”: UN Peacekeeping responds to COVID-19
Medium piece by Under-Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix: Of Peacekeepers and Pandemics
Twitter Moment with highlights from peacekeeping missions
Updates from UN Peacekeeping missions
UNAMID and State health authorities launch community awareness campaign against COVID-19
UNAMID Pakistani contingent conducts awareness raising workshop on COVID-19 in North Darfur
UNAMID: First phase reasiness to combat and prevent spread of COVID-19
UNIFIL: Visitors to UNIFIL complex get temperature taken
UNFICYP: Statement from the spokesperson on COVID-19
UNFICYP: Mitigation efforts by peacekeeping in Cyprus
UNFICYP: Recognizing excellence with Social Distancing
UNMISS staff adapting to COVID-19: breaking habits, keeping a distance, intensified hand washing
UNMISS announces travel freeze to support COVID-19 prevention and preparedness
UNMISS: The UN takes steps to support coronavirus prevention and preparedness in South Sudan
UNMISS supports authorities with public information
MINUSMA: Measures taken on COVID-19
MINUSMA takes preventative measures against COVID-19
MINUSMA determined to overcome challenges alongside the people of Mali
MINUSCA supports the government of the Central African Republic in prevention efforts (in French)
MINUSCA: Video message by Head of Mission to staff
UNMIK: Introducing the Kosovo Trustbuilding Platform
UNMIK hosts multi-ethnic town hall debate on COVID-19 televised across Kosovo
MONUSCO prevention efforts in Ituri
MONUSCO (in French): Visitors to MONUSCO and UN complex get temperature taken
MONUSCO: Radio Okapi informs the local population on COVID-19
MONUSCO (in French): « Le Coronavirus est une épidémie dangereuse, je ne peux pas inventer des cas »
MONUSCO (in French): La province de Tshopo prend des mesures préventives contre le Coronavirus