Celebrate Front Line Workers And Maintain Vigilance To Ensure Humanitarian Work Is Well Managed—UN

19 August 2020; Accra, Ghana – The United Nations, development partners and the International NGOs in Ghana celebrate the courageous, hard work and contributions of men and women humanitarian workers in the country and call on the Government of Ghana to remain vigilant to stay ahead of situations that would require humanitarian interventions.

Mindful of incidents, natural and man-made, that could necessitate humanitarian response, the United Nations reminds the Government to further strengthen its resilience systems, especially in the face of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

As the world observes World Humanitarian Day on Wednesday, August 19, 2020, the UN, development cooperation and INGOs family in Ghana applaud all partners – private, public and development partners – and individual workers, especially frontline workers, whose timely interventions have contributed considerably to the fight against the pandemic, thereby making sure that Ghanaians, and especially the most vulnerable, including the aged, women, young people, children, migrants, refugees and people with disability are reached with needed services. Humanitarian relief and work are essential in aiding those in need in a timely and efficient manner. Ultimately ensuring that no one is left behind in the COVID-19 response and recovery plans.

“Other tragedies triggered by the pandemic such as poverty, loss of job, gender-based violence, malnutrition and unwanted pregnancies, are eminent. We must act now to mitigate tragedies that are beyond the health implications of the COVID-19 virus.” says the UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Charles Abani.

The UN and its partners continue to provide humanitarian support to vulnerable and poor populations, including the establishment of a regional humanitarian response hub in Accra to facilitate COVID-19 response efforts, provision of nutritional support, distribution of fortified food rations, PPEs, dignity kits, and WASH facilities.

A nationwide food security and vulnerability assessment is underway to improve food security and social protection interventions in Ghana in response to COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

Interventions such as these and the recent business tracker survey conducted to understand the full impact of the pandemic on businesses and people’s livelihood are critical support areas aimed at ensuring an effective response to cushion and possibly avert incidents that may require a humanitarian response.

The United Nations will continue to work closely with the Government and other partners to ensure the easing of the impact of the pandemic.

On World Humanitarian Day, we honour the tireless efforts of all humanitarian workers for offering their time, energy and resources to ensure that no one is cut off and that needed services reach all those affected one way or the other by the pandemic. Let us commit to ensuring our systems stand the test of time to save lives.