Drawing on our experience with combatting other outbreaks such as Ebola, HIV, SARS and Malaria, as well as our long history of working with the private and public sector, UNDP stands ready to help Sri Lanka to urgently and effectively respond to COVID-19 as part of its mission to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and build resilience to crises and shocks. UNDP is rated as one of the most transparent development organisations which builds on the next generation network of innovation and digital solutions, while leveraging crucial institutional assets such as the Global Policy and Accelerator Lab Networks along with the Citra Social Innovation Lab in responding to this complex, fast-moving crisis.

As part of the United Nations Development System, UNDP works in close coordination with the World Health Organization (WHO) in line with the COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan and in lockstep with our humanitarian partners under the Global Humanitarian Response Plan.

Further to this, the UN Secretary General has launched the UN’s framework to support countries’ socio-economic recovery. UNDP co-led the development of the framework and upon the request of the Secretary General, UNDP will be the designated technical lead of the UN’s work at the country level socio-economic recovery under the leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator (RC).