While the COVID-19 pandemic is wreaking havoc around the globe, the remoteness of the Pacific Islands has left people living there vulnerable in many different ways. 

UN Resident Coordinator Sanaka Samarasinha said in an interview with UN News, that with borders and airports shut down, protection gear, specialist personnel, and life-saving medical supplies have been unable to reach many areas in need.

And the crisis has only been heightened by the devastation inflicted by category 5 Cyclone Harold, which ripped through Vanuatu. 

While the COVID-19 pandemic is wreaking havoc around the globe, the remoteness of the Pacific Islands has left people living there vulnerable in many different ways. 

UN Resident Coordinator Sanaka Samarasinha said in an interview with UN News, that with borders and airports shut down, protection gear, specialist personnel, and life-saving medical supplies have been unable to reach many areas in need.

Making sure that information about COVID-19 is accurate, and how to stay protected, is crucial to getting the pandemic under control.

Making sure that information about COVID-19 is accurate, and how to stay protected, is crucial to getting the pandemic under control.

Even in the overcrowded places like refugee camps, the UN is working towards potentially life-saving behavior change, asking people to stay ‘home’, because social distancing will mean at least some “family protection”.

Referring to the low number of cases in Gaza so far as “good news”, Matthias Schmale, director of the UN relief agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) has warned in an interview with UN News, that local hospitals would not have the capacity to deal with coronavirus and there are not enough tests to go round.

Mr. Schmale, spoke to UN News Arabic’s Hazem Balousha, who’s based in the Israeli-controlled enclave.

Even in the overcrowded places like refugee camps, the UN is working towards potentially life-saving behavior change, asking people to stay ‘home’, because social distancing will mean at least some “family protection”.

Referring to the low number of cases in Gaza so far as “good news”, Matthias Schmale, director of the UN relief agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) has warned in an interview with UN News, that local hospitals would not have the capacity to deal with coronavirus and there are not enough tests to go round.

Mr. Schmale, spoke to UN News Arabic’s Hazem Balousha, who’s based in the Israeli-controlled enclave.