COVID-19 Situation Report No. 2 for UNFPA Arab States

"At  regional  level,  UNFPA  participates  in  the  WHO  regional  crisis  management  group  and  sub-working  groups  (risk communication and community engagement; humanitarian settings and displaced population) and co-chairs the regional inter-agency  gender  theme  group  and  its  GBV  Covid-19  sub-working  group,  ensuring  integration  of  GBV  within  health. Country  offices  are  working  closely  with  other  UN  agencies,  governments,  and  other  partners  for  the  continuation  of services  and  safeguard  gains  in  SRH  and  GBV.  UNFPA  is  engaged  through  the  UN  Country  Team  coordination mechanisms and supports the respective national Covid-19 Preparedness and Response Plans. These ensure prioritization of SRH and GBV concerns and to look beyond the immediate impacts of the pandemic."
"In humanitarian contexts, UNFPA leads the GBV sub-cluster coordination and sexual and reproductive health sub-working groups  under  the  health  cluster.  Country  offices  are  also  coordinating  with  the  logistics  clusters  for  shipment  of humanitarian relief supplies. UNFPA supports Covid-19 Humanitarian Operation Cells, or similar mechanisms, to address service  delivery  constraints  and  advocate  for  access.  Covid-19  impact  analysis  also  looks  into  emerging  challenges  for continued humanitarian SRH and GBV service provision, which are affected by funding priorities for Covid-19, operational challenges including physical access, and temporary closure of service delivery points."
"Tunisia:  UNFPA  established  and  co-leads  the  SRH  and  Vaccination  Task  Force  with  the  Ministry  of  Health  and  key
stakeholders for the continuity of SRH and vaccination as part of the essential health services package."
"Continuity of SRH interventions, including protection of health workforce 1"
"UNFPA Country Offices have supported continuity of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) interventions by:

• Procuring  PPE  for  frontline  healthcare  workers  delivering  both  COVID-19  and  non-COVID-19  related  SRH  and GBV services (medical masks, gloves, goggles) in response to increased demand by national counterparts;
• Training of frontline healthcare workers, including provision of infection, prevention and control (IPC) measures in health  facilities,  rolling-out  standard  operating  procedures  and  guidance  for  COVID-19,  with  regard  to  pregnant women/delivery, and adaptation of training packages including on normal deliveries and c-sections;
• Disseminating relevant information, education and communication materials in line with WHO guidelines;
• Establishing alternative delivery modalities (e.g. mobile outreach and home visits in Palestine) where SRH services have been shut down or severely curtailed;
• Advocating with stakeholders for continuity of services (Jordan), awareness-raising and information sharing; and
• Conducting  assessments  of  impact  of  COVID-19  on  SRH  services  with  concern  of  countries  with  fragile  health systems, which will impact service provision and cause significant immediate and secondary effects."