UN calls for 33 million USD to protect refugees from new coronavirus
(VOVWORLD) - The United Nations made an urgent appeal Tuesday for tens of millions of USD to help protect vulnerable refugees against the spread of the deadly new coronavirus.
 Syrian people at Kafr Lusin refugee camp in Idlib near the Bab al-Hawa border-crossing between Syria and Turkey. (Photo: AFP/VNA) |
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is urgently seeking an initial 33 million USD to boost Covid-19 prevention and response activities and address the immediate public health needs of refugees.
So far, there have not been any reports of the virus spreading among communities of refugees and asylum seekers.
But UNHCR said it is making preparations and creating contingency plans to respond in case the virus begins spreading among refugees, including advising staff to check stocks of medical supplies, medical equipment, and protective gear.