Press Statement on COVID -19

Dhaka, 28 March 2020 - The Country Preparedness and Response Plan is a planning document prepared jointly by the United Nations in Bangladesh and concerned government counterparts with participation of a number of civil society partners and other actors. In line with WHO global guidance, the purpose of the document is to mobilize the United Nations agencies and partners in support of the Government’s response to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The Government of Bangladesh, in partnership with the United Nations, civil society and the private sector, has rapidly operationalized many interventions including enforced quarantine and isolation; intensified risk communication; social distancing; social protection; and the closure of schools and public spaces. The globally accepted modeling techniques guiding this document use an assumption of no interventions to stem to spread of the virus in order to portray the possible magnitude of the outbreak. The United Nations is fully supportive of the measures the Government of Bangladesh has been taking to slow the spread of COVID-19.

The virus can spread rapidly if preventative measures are not put in place quickly. We therefore urge everyone to comply with these measures. This will allow extra time for the Government and its partners, including the United Nations agencies, civil society and the private sector, to strengthen medical capacity across the country and support the Government of Bangladesh in suppressing the pandemic.