By Neo Mathibe
UNDP awarded grants to a number of private organizations on Thursday in a bid to empower them in the fight against the global Covid-19 pandemic.
Up to seven private organizations were given grants by the UNDP last week Thursday at an awarding ceremony hosted by the UNDP at a local hotel.
UNDP Resident Representative, Betty Wabunoha, indicated that their aim is to assist the private owned companies in their fight against Covid-19. She also congratulated the grantees for their winning proposals.
“At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it appeared remote that Lesotho will be affected by the pandemic in the way it has today. At more than 1,000 confirmed cases, we are all concerned about the potential and recurring socio-economic implications at national and community level as a result of this pandemic.
“For the first time, since 1990, global human development is on track to decline this year due to COVID-19. This is happening in the same year that marked the beginning of a Decade of Action towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As evidenced across the world, and here in Lesotho, COVID 19 has fundamentally changed the context of development – and this calls for us to create a new norm of doing business.
“For developing economies, such as Lesotho, the implications are grimmer given the economic performance overtime, increasing human vulnerabilities, including food insecurity and inequalities. According to the recently published joint UN Socio-Economic Impact Assessment of COVID-19 on the Kingdom of Lesotho, the number of food insecure people almost doubled, from 500,000 to 900,000 during this time, and the risk for loss of jobs has increased for the majority of Basotho workers. It is obvious that this pandemic is not only a health crisis, but a humanitarian and economic crisis as well,” Wabunoha said.
Over 80 applications were received by the UNDP, on health, business, technology, creative arts and human rights. While many of these applications were very interesting, a few remained relevant to the response against Covid-19.
Seven organizations were identified for the grants under the following areas: advocacy, social cohesion and community awareness, digital transformation for access to health services, manufactory of sanitizers, manufacturing of personal protective equipment and capacity building of women, and resilience building and economic participation for woman and youth.
The recipients are Edmonds Pty, Red Cross Society, Partners in Health and Development for Peace Education, Ether Pharmacy, Mine Workers Development Agency and World Vision.
