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.
UN Peacekeeping missions in the field have reoriented their community outreach to address the new challenges posed by the pandemic.
UN Peacekeeping guidance on COVID-19
In response to the global pandemic, the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI) has prepared operational guidance to support mitigating the spread of COVID-19.
Addressing COVID-19 requires critical preparedness and a coordinated response, particularly in prisons. The Justice and Corrections Service has developed practical guidance and operational tools including an Operational Toolbox: COVID-19 Preparedness & Response in Places of Detention, together with UNITAR, which provides communication tools composed of clear and concise information and visuals for direct use by prison administrators and staff to mitigate and address COVID-19 in prisons, guidance on the immediate measures required to decongest prisons and guidance to help ensure access to justice through remote alternatives and court hearings during and after outbreak.
The UN Police (UNPOL) has outlined procedures to be followed by personnel in their daily operations during or in anticipation of the COVID-19 pandemic in their host communities. UNPOL has also provided a synopsis of the factors that a police agency must consider when writing plans to address operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Gender Unit of DPO, in consultation with field missions, has developed an analysis on COVID-19 and Women, Peace and Security (WPS), and collects examples of how our missions are re-orienting the implementation of the WPS mandate in light of the pandemic.
Global features
Supporting women during COVID-19 and beyond
From combatant to civilian during COVID-19
The impact of COVID-19 on survivors of conflict-related sexual violence
Continuing community outreach in the face of COVID-19
Women peacekeepers on the front lines of COVID-19
Protecting civilians and raising awareness despite COVID-19 challenges
Combating misinformation in South Sudan during COVID-19
Building trust in Cyprus during times of COVID-19
Preventing the spread of COVID-19 in overcrowded prisons of DR Congo
COVID-19: a double burden for women in conflict settings
Press briefing by USG Lacroix and USG Khare on 22 May
Peace Radio Mikado FM: Navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and infodemic
Press briefing by USG Lacroix and USG Khare on 13 April
“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
UNAMID: Latest updates
Prison officers and inmates get sensitized on COVID-19 prevention measures in South Darfur
Mission distributes hygiene materials to IDPs in Golo as part of its fight against COVID-19
UNIFIL: Latest updates
Peacekeepers test positive for COVID-19
Chinese peacekeepers donate medical supplies to local communities
UNFICYP: Latest updates
Young people unite to overcome challenges during COVID-19 in Cyprus
Mission meets with Hands Across the Divide to discuss Women Peace and Security in Cyprus
Women health care workers on the frontline of the COVID-19 response
MINUSMA: Latest updates
Mission launches community mobilization project in Gao region
Mission holds information sessions to discuss mandate and COVID-19 response
Mission delivers hygiene and COVID-19 prevention kits to the Timbuktu region
Mission continues to support COVID-19 response in Timbuktu and Taoudeni
The fight against COVID-19 - when civil society actors work for public health
MINUSCA: Latest updates
Mission hands over COVID-19 isolation and temporary treatment center to authorities of Haute Kotto
Mission launches construction of building to increase social distancing in classrooms
As part of COVID-19 response, mission hands over community projects to authorities
Mission trains community police officers to be involved in COVID-19 response
UNMIK: Latest updates
Journalists and audience must jointly fight for a better media says multiethnic media campaign
Mission delivers PPE and tablets across Kosovo to combat COVID-19
MONUSCO: Latest updates
Senegalese police units resume rotations
Bunia: UN Joint Human Rights Office sensitizes actors involved in fight against Covid-19
South-Kivu province: Mission has provided the provincial government with equipment to fight COVID-19
Fight against COVID-19 - journalists from Beni sensitized by MONUSCO and WHO
Mission raises awareness among women prisoners and minors on COVID-19 and HIV and AIDS in Bunia
UNMISS: Latest updates
UN Volunteer stands up for human rghts in the time of COVID-19
Children receive radios from mission to allow learning during COVID-19
Mission hands over COVID-19 critical care centre in Yambio
