‘Be ready – Look after each other.’

Over the weekend, the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres reached out to the world through a message where he reiterated that “we are in this together, and we will get through this, together”.

The upheaval caused by the coronavirus – COVID 19, is creating anxiety, worry and confusion for many of us, the SG added. However, he also believes, that it is through crisis and human emergencies that drives home the essential interconnectedness of our human family. 

The SG has also reassured the world that preventing the further spread of COVID-19 is a shared responsibility for us all and the United Nations – including the World Health Organization -- is fully mobilized.

He added that the UN are working 24/7 with governments, providing international guidance, helping the world take on this threat. 

At the country level, the UN Samoa is stepping up their role to support the Government of Samoa in their COVID -19 preparedness and response plan but also most importantly the safety and well- being of its own UN staff.

The UN Samoa is working on putting together a Country Preparedness and Response Plan which can be used as a coordination tool particularly for international support that will come through for the Government of Samoa and their efforts to protect its people, against the COVID-19.

Washing hands with hand sanitizers or antibacterial soap, self-isolation when feeling unwell, may sound like simple messages, but these are vital precautionary measures that we all need to take seriously in order to prevent the spread of the COVID-19.

In an internal meeting to inform all UN Staff on preparedness and response measures that the UN has in place, WHO Representative Dr, Rasul Baghirov emphasized that our efforts must focus on preparedness and prevention, as we need to ensure that we do not overwhelm the health system.

Overall, the message echoed in the meeting is the need for everyone to be vigilant, and to do their best to look after each other and their families and communities so that they are well informed and prepared.

While there is no vaccine or specific medication to treat COVID-19, our only medication against this novel disease for now, is ‘prevention’.