CORONAVIRUS | United Nations (UN) under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator Mark Lowcock (above) has warned that the Covid-19 pandemic has the potential to have a devastating impact on the vulnerable communities in conflict-affected Syria, reported Xinhua news agency.

"As of this morning (Monday), 10 cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in Syria, including one death. Judging from other places, that is the tip of the iceberg. The virus has the potential to have a devastating impact on vulnerable communities across the country," the UN humanitarian chief told the security council's meeting on the humanitarian situation in Syria via video-link.

"Syria's health services are extremely fragile. Only around half of its hospitals and primary healthcare centres were fully functional at the end of last year," he said.

"As in other countries, the World Health Organisation-led response advises a focus on prevention and preparedness. That includes preparing front-line humanitarian workers, most of whom are Syrians, to interact safely with communities.”

Lowcock said that the UN-supported surveillance and early warning systems have been reinforced across the country, in joint efforts with relevant authorities.

Preparedness and response plans have been developed and the pre-positioning of equipment and supplies, the rehabilitation of the Central Public Health Laboratory, the upgrading of available isolation units and community engagement programmes are all underway.

"But all efforts to prevent, detect and respond to Covid-19 are impeded by Syria's fragile health system, by high levels of population movement, challenges to obtaining critical supplies, including protective equipment and ventilators, and by the practical difficulties of implementing isolation and protective measures in areas of displacement, with high population density and low levels of sanitation services," said Lowcock.

- Bernama

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