Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/. On 9 July 2020, the second day of duty of the newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) of Mongolia Mr Ya.Sodbaatar and Minister of Health Dr T.Munkhsaikhan met with UN Resident Coordinator (UNRC) in Mongolia Mr. Tapan Mishra and WHO Representative Dr. Sergey Diorditsa to discuss the progress of the country’s preparedness measures to COVID-19 pandemic and to exchange views on strategies and planning for future action. Samples of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Frontline Workers requested by the was the State Emergency Commission (SEC) handed over to the DPM as the Chairman of SEC. This was procured by WHO utilizing the allocation from the UN COVID-19 Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF).

It was agreed that the planning of response measures will have to review current measures in the face of the “new normal” based on socioeconomic impact assessment. Over the past 6 months since the beginning of the pandemic, the UN agencies including the UNRC and WHO have been working side-by-side with the Government of Mongolia, Ministry of Health and multi-sectoral organizations to plan and strengthen preparedness and response measures and to provide support. Under the leadership of the UNRC, the UN COVID-19 Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) Joint Programme was recently launched to provide further support to strengthening the national capacity to suppress transmission and maintain essential services in the COVID-19 pandemic in Mongolia.

During this meeting DPM informed about the government’s timely responsive measures and preparedness activities in accordance to the national plan against COVID-19 pandemic. As of July 9th, there are 227 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Mongolia, all of which were imported cases and 195 of them are now recovered. Although this news can be rewarding for all Mongolians, potential circumstances of the second wave of this pandemic recorded in some countries in other parts of the world demands more precautionary measures, preparedness, and continues collaboration of such joint force of multi-stakeholders. 

The United Nations’ integrated response action is composed of three parts: Health, Humanitarian and Socio-economic responses. Health response is led by WHO together with MoH and the response was taken promptly. Also, humanitarian side, UN RC together with NEMA led the Humanitarian country team with the support of OCHA. So far the Humanitarian Country Team has collectively contributed 8.7 million USD, out of which 4 million has been given by UN agencies.

It is very fortunate that Mongolia is one of the 46 countries, which received additional 1 million dollars from the “United Nations COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund” established by UN Secretary General. Out of this USD 1 million, USD 500 thousand has been allocated to health component and other USD 500 thousand has been allocated to the education component. Education component response will be implemented by UNICEF, UNFPA, and UNESCO whereas WHO is leading Health component. In terms of “UN framework for the immediate socio-economic response to COVID-19”, UN agencies under the leadership of UNDP is working to finalize socio-economic response plan for five pillars.