Across the pandemic and beyond: new report reveals regional partnerships key to recovery from COVID-19 in Africa

A new report from the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and UNDP presents the main results of the evolution of the partnership between the two organizations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. With over 3 million people infected and nearly 100,000 lives lost across the continent, the report highlights societal resilience across sectors, Africans’ sheer determination to minimize the impact on health, as well as disruption. social and economic consequences of the pandemic.

From the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the African Union was one of the first regional institutions to adopt a common continental strategy for the COVID-19 outbreak (https://bit.ly/39Kb6E7). As part of the Strategy, and in line with UNDP’s institutional offer to help countries prepare for, respond to and recover from COVID-19, the Regional Office for Africa has established a strong partnership with the Africa CDC.

Dr. Ahmed Ogwell Ouma, Deputy Director of Africa CDC, said: “All over Africa people are looking within for innovations that will move the continent forward. We are looking to the future, to anticipate the needs of the next generations and envision a better future. And we look to each other, to build the communities, countries and continent that we all know is possible. “

Africa CDC has partnered with UNDP with other partners in the implementation of the continental strategy against COVID-19 on all fronts. These activities include: AUC support in studying the impact of COVID-19 on governance, peace and security (https://bit.ly/2ReW6HZ); support country offices and regional economic communities (RECs) in preventing and responding to sexual and gender-based violence during the pandemic; support the purchase of personal protective equipment for the countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS); strengthening of health systems; support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) (https://bit.ly/3cVUyuT) to create innovative solutions to African problems; and capacity building for target groups such as health workers, faith-based organizations, civil society organizations, youth and women’s groups and key health institutions.

“At the start of 2020, many would have bet their gold that sub-Saharan Africa was not the likely home of inventions. And yet, here we are, witnessing an incredible display of possibilities. Africa is managing the complexity of this devastating pandemic and seeking solutions to end it, ”said Ahunna Eziakonwa, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General, UNDP Deputy Administrator and Director of the UNDP Regional Office for Africa.

While recent evidence of an emerging ‘third wave’ in parts of the continent remains concerning, this report reinforces the importance of partnerships with the whole of society to curb and recover from the pandemic.

Read the full report here: https://bit.ly/3ulN1eG