WINDHOEK, Namibia – The United Nations (UN) Namibia today handed over a donation of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other medical  equipment to the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) in its ongoing effort to support Namibia in the fight against COVID-19.

The new donations by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) worth more than N$20 million comprises of oxygen concentrators, surgical masks, overalls and other needed health essentials.

Handing over the donation on behalf of the UN family in Namibia, the UN Resident Coordinator Mr. Sen Pang stressed assurances of the UN support in fighting COVID-19 in the country.

“Since the outbreak of the pandemic, UN Namibia and UN Agencies in Namibia have been devoted to supporting the government of Namibia in its battle against the COVID-19 by mobilising financial aid, technical assistance and human resources under the framework of Country Preparedness and Response Plan. Complementarily, the UN Agencies in Namibia responded in other areas affected by the pandemic crisis, especially in the socio-economic sector,” he said.

“I am also pleased to report that more consignments are scheduled to arrive in the following weeks and months, to support the Namibian government in its quest to timely respond to COVID-19 and prevent the further spread of this pandemic,” he added.

Receiving the donation, Dr. Shangula, thanked the UN for the donation and especially for the support being received since the first index cases of Coronavirus were announced on 13 March 2020.

“Medical supplies and equipment are needed in all parts of the country. They will go a long way to strengthen our preparedness and response against the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Minister Shangula. 

The Minister urged citizens and partners not to let their guard down even though the number of COVID-19 cases are steadily decreasing.

“Now that we have started to flatten the epidemiological curve, we must do everything we can, to ensure that the numbers of new cases, hospitalisations and deaths continue to go down. This is a collective responsibility and we will only prevail and defeat this pandemic when we work together as a united nation,” he added.

Namibia experienced a rapid spike in COVID-19 cases during the months of June, July and August.