President Jeenbekov and UN Resident Coordinator in Kyrgyzstan discuss situation with COVID-19

Bishkek, Apr. 6, 2020 / Kabar /. President of Kyrgyzstan Sooronbay Jeenbekov met with Ozonnia Ojielo, UN Resident Coordinator in the Kyrgyz Republic. The sides exchanged views on the current situation in the country caused by coronavirus infection and discussed joint steps to counteract its further spread, the Kyrgyz president’s press service reported. President Jeenbekov noted the measures taken by the Kyrgyz side in this direction, and also outlined the emerging problems and urgent needs of the country. In particular, the possibility of providing support in the field of healthcare, education, food security, as well as small and medium-sized businesses was discussed. Ojielo briefed about the work carried out by the UN in Kyrgyzstan. It was noted that, together with the Kyrgyz government, 8 priority sectors were identified, within the framework of which joint work is being carried out to counteract the further spread of COVID-19, as well as to overcome its negative consequences in the socio-economic sphere. He also spoke about the creation of USD 2 billion Global Humanitarian Response Plan and the Economic Fund to finance the fight against COVID-19. Ozonnia Ojielo emphasized that Kyrgyzstan can also count on UN support through these tools. In addition, at the meeting, special attention was paid to ensuring food security of the country. According to the information of the permanent coordinator, the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, is already conducting the necessary work in this direction. In this context, Ozonnia Ojielo noted that Kyrgyzstan’s solution to the world's first stateless problem has greatly facilitated the provision of targeted assistance to the most vulnerable segments of the country's population. The UN Resident Coordinator expressed his readiness to continue supporting Kyrgyzstan in overcoming the problems caused by the spread of the disease.