Maldives is one of the few countries to have received support under the Covid-19 Response and Recovery Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) by the United Nations, two times round, says Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid.
Speaking at the signing ceremony with UN Resident Coordinator Catherine Haswell on the project titled “Protecting Women and Children: Digitalizing and Streamlining Social Services and Creating a Unified Platform for National Care” on Thursday, FM Shahid noted that Maldives was able to be one of the few countries to receive support under UN’s MPTF due to the commitment and perseverance of the UN Country Team and stakeholders working for the cause.
He went on to express gratitude to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres for granting Maldives access to the UN’s Covid-19 Response and Recovery MPTF.
“Protecting Women and Children: Digitalizing and streamlining social services, and creating a unified platform for national care” is the second project assistance Maldives received under the trust fund, at a time the global pandemic has disproportionately backtracked the progress Maldives has achieved on an array of important sectors.
The World Bank has predicted that the Maldives is one of the hardest hit countries in the region. A recent Global ESTA assessment ranks Maldives as the fifth worst globally hit as per impact on GDP. With Allah’s Grace, we have been able to contain the spread of the virus and the tourism sector shows recovery signs, but it will take time for the sector to fully recover to pre-pandemic level.”Abdulla Shahid, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The minister went on to highlight that the project, worth USD 452,500 will assist the government’s efforts in developing a National Social Protection Policy, to address the needs of all, especially the vulnerable communities and said that it will also pave way for a conducive environment that encourages female participation in economic activities and promote desirable change in the social systems.
The project will warp social norms to be in favor of the prevention of gender-based violence, increase access to reproductive health as well as boost women empowerment, greatly, Shahid said, adding that it will also expand the essential public services through digital solutions, with an increase in access to digital technology.
The project will support the local councils to build capacity and strengthen data collection, said a hopeful minister.
The minister concluded by thanking Haswell for being a “trusted partner” and “friend” to the Maldives.
Speaking at the event, Haswell assured the minister of UN’s commitment to strengthen the social protection system to help the most vulnerable among the Maldivian communities.
UN Maldives aims to work closely with all stakeholders for a bigger impact in the island nation’s road to an inclusive, sustainable recovery from Covid-19 as the new year is kickstarted, Haswell added.
Maldives and UN remain committed to support accelerated achievement of the 2030 Agenda and “leaving no one behind” as the battle against the global pandemic continues.
Maldives and UN will closely monitor the targets of the Joint Programme during its implementation from 15 October 2020 to 1 November 2021, the Foreign Ministry said.
WATCH THE FOREIGN MINISTER'S FULL SPEECH HERE:"Pleased to be among few countries to receive support under UN MPTF, twice"
