Situation Summary: Humanitarian Response Locations

The number of confirmed cases and reported deaths have consistently increased by 10-20% per day over the past week, surpassing 7,300 and 250, respectively, across 23 locations with humanitarian responses. This does not include countries like Iran where UN humanitarian agencies do not operate, and where the number of reported cases is 71,686, including 4,474 COVID-related deaths.

The COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan by OCHA will be implemented by UN agencies, with international NGOs and consortiums playing a direct role in the response, but remains about 20% funded as of 8 April.

The FAO published a framework for Addressing the Impacts of COVID-19 in Food Crises, including an appeal for US$110 million to maintain the provision of critical assistance where there are already high levels of need. The WFP estimates that 100-120 million people across 80 countries will require urgent support and food supplies.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights issued renewed guidance on protection of human rights, calling for urgent and coordinated action by countries to prevent “wider inequalities and extensive suffering.” This is in light of reports by the IOM of increased restrictions at points of entry, limiting mobility and delivery of essential goods. Humanitarian organizations, including the ICRC and MSF have urged countries to protect vulnerable populations, including IDPs and asylum seekers.

The combination of economic and social stresses, along with restrictive control measures, have led to a dramatic increase in the numbers of women and girls facing domestic abuse, as the UN Secretary General called for urgent measures to address the “horrifying global surge in domestic violence.”