Kenya, UN and other partners source for Sh28b for Covid-19 pandemic

 

The Kenyan government alongside the United Nations and other humanitarian partners have launched a platform to raise funds for Covid-19 pandemic.

Dubbed “Flash Appeal”, and launched on Thursday, the platform is to be used to raise $267.5 million (Sh28.2 billion) to respond to the most immediate and critical needs of 10.1 million people.

Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury and Planning Ukur Yatani praised the initiative saying Kenyan friends have stood up by showing goodwill.

 “When times are challenging you get to know your friends better. I would like to commend the Kenya United Nations Country Team and humanitarian partners for being real friends and fighting with us shoulder to shoulder as we fight this deadly pandemic,” he said.

It is geared towards mobilising emergency funding for UN agencies and NGOs to complement the Government’s preparedness and response efforts for the next six months.

The funds will be used to support public health responses to contain the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country and provide targeted humanitarian assistance and protection to the most vulnerable and at-risk communities.

From the current UN Development Assistance Framework to Kenya 2018-20, the UN family has redeployed US$ 45 million (Sh4.76 billion) to support Kenya in its response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The UN has also deployed over 70 staff and volunteers to assist the Government of Kenya.

Cabinet Secretary for Devolution Eugene Wamalwa said that the Appeal is timely and will be instrumental in fighting the disease and its impacts.

He said: “This Flash Appeal is much appreciated. Coming on the heels of several natural disasters since 2016 this appeal aims to bring humanitarian relief at a time where we are all stretched to the limit fighting COVID-19”

The COVID-19 outbreak in Kenya is occurring in a context of significant chronic vulnerabilities as well as increased humanitarian needs as a result of back-to back droughts, ongoing floods and a locust upsurge.

“We believe Kenya is at an important tipping point and that together we can move this into the right direction. We are confident that together we can flatten the COVID-19 curve and diminish the threat in Kenya while continuing to strengthen our health systems, and economy. We thank the UN and all our partners for their support,” Chief Administrative Secretary for Health Dr Rashid Aman said.

The UN and NGO response is focused on saving lives and preventing the loss of livelihoods.

UN Resident Coordinator in Kenya Siddharth Chatterjee said that the Appeal will also focus on delivering the essential services to Kenyans during the time of the pandemic.

“We will stand in full solidarity with the Government and people of Kenya in the fight against COVID 19,” he said.

“This Flash Appeal is a clear expression of our solidarity as we mobilize support to accelerate our COVID-19 response in Kenya in lockstep with the Government.”