The ‘One UN Covid-19 Response Basket Fund’, a United Nations finance support platform managed by the UN Development Programme (UNDP), says it has received one million US dollars from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) to help Nigeria cope with the challenges and impact of the pandemic.
Development Diaries understands that the UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Mohamed Yahya, said that the additional fund was to aid the country as it witnessed a rapid increase in confirmed Covid-19 cases.
Yahya said the UN welcomed the contribution from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as it aims to support Nigeria’s response to managing the Covid-19 crisis, particularly as it pertains to the protection of vulnerable persons.
He said, ‘As a recognised Covid-19 Response Financing and Investment Platform, this facility provides us with a timely opportunity to stand with Nigeria and channel financial contributions toward the Covid-19 multi-sectoral response.
‘Working as one UN enables us to minimise the risk of duplication of efforts and ensures efficient mobilisation and rapid deployment of resources’.
Speaking further, Yahya said, ‘Through the basket fund, the UN aims to ensure policy coherence, programmatic alignment, harmonisation, and coordination of support to the government of Nigeria during the time of crisis’.
The fund serves as a financing and investment platform through which different stakeholders can channel their financial support to the multi-sectoral efforts of the Nigerian Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 Response.
Source: Premium Times
Photo source: Marc Smith
