Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid has discussed the country’s ongoing response efforts to the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic with the Under Secretary-General of the United Nations and UNDP Administrator, Achim Steiner.

During a telephone conversation with Steiner, the foreign minister briefed him on the current situation in the island nation and the socio-economic crisis it is facing due to the pandemic, which surfaced in the country on 7 March.

Briefing the administrator on stringent measures being implemented by the Maldives government to contain the spread of the disease, FM Shahid also discussed challenges the community faces in addressing the health emergency and the strain it has on public finances.

In addition, the example of the pandemic was taken to remind the international community of the vulnerability it exposes SIDS to, including Maldives which has gone in an external economic shock.

Further, discussions also revolved around the “UNDP’s COVID-19 Integrated Response Offer” and FM Shahid shed light on the significance of giving “particular consideration” to the “unique” economic vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States.

Welcoming the initiative by UNDP to assist countries overcome the unprecedented socio-economic challenges due to the pandemic, the foreign minister stated that Maldives will be submitting proposals to access resources under “UNDP’s COVID-19 Integrated Response Offer”.

This offer focuses on both the immediate requirements of the health emergency, as well as long-term economic recovery.

While the country’s biggest source of revenue, the tourism industry has taken a direct hit due to the pandemic, FM Shahid highlighted that the country is highly dependent on tourism to sustain the country’s economy.

As such, the entire revenue of the government is currently directed to the health emergency and the tourism industry is at a complete standstill. This, he said, is causing sever negative impacts on the economic growth of the country.

Emphasizing the early steps to combat the disease that made a difference in keeping the number of positive cases low, FM Shahid noted that the likelihood of a community spread in the country is imminent following the first confirmed case of the disease in the capital city on Wednesday.

With this being said, FM Shahid shed light on the importance of the international community’s support to the Maldives to save lives and minimize the economic and social impact of Covid-19.

In conclusion, the minister expressed gratitude to the UNDP for continued support extended over the years and praised the “extraordinary” measures being implemented by the UN, globally.