Coronavirus global health emergency

Secretary-General António Guterres in a video call

"Mental health services are an essential part of all government responses to COVID-19"

Mental health is at the core of our humanity. It enables us to lead rich and fulfilling lives and to participate in our communities. But the COVID-19 virus is not only attacking our physical health; it is also increasing psychological suffering.  

 

Three people hanging posters.
Department of Global Communications
13 May 2020 | Health, Health Interventions

Learning from the past: UN draws lessons from Ebola, other crises to fight COVID-19

From the eradication of smallpox to the fight against Ebola, global efforts to end infectious diseases evolved over time. But there are timeless lessons the United Nations can draw from past experiences to fight the novel coronavirus.

crowd of people with suitcases
Department of Global Communications
11 May 2020 | Migrants

COVID-19: UN counters pandemic-related hate and xenophobia

As instances of hate speech, stigma, discrimination and xenophobia continue to rise as a result of COVID-19, the United Nations and its partners are working to ensure that solidarity prevails during the pandemic.

Department of Global Communications
08 May 2020 | Health

UN supports routine – yet vital – health services while fighting COVID-19

During the 2014-2015 Ebola outbreak more people died from measles, malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis due to health system failures than from Ebola. To avoid a similar outcome, the United Nations is working to ensure that essential health services, including vaccination campaigns, remain accessible during the COVID-19 pandemic.

WHO poster

WHO: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Pandemic

The World Health Organization (WHO) is working closely with global experts, governments and partners to rapidly expand scientific knowledge on this new virus, to track the spread and virulence of the virus, and to provide advice to countries and individuals on measures to protect health and prevent the spread of this outbreak.

WHO’s response in countries

Find out how the WHO is working across its 149 country offices to assist communities all over the world.

What is a Coronavirus?

Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. Find out more about this novel coronavirus (nCoV) that has not been previously identified in humans.

More on the coronavirus
WHO poster

FAQs

What are the symptoms of COVID-19? How can I protect myself? Should I worry about COVID-19? Get the answers.

Go to the FAQs
COVID-19 Response logo

Information from the UN System

Everyone is talking about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Be sure to get your facts from reliable sources. The UN offices, field missions, agencies, funds and programmes are providing new information as it becomes available. Here are some of their resource pages.

UN System
UN staff form a circle with the SDG colours

Information for UN personnel

The United Nations is closely monitoring the situation with the COVID-19 outbreak. This page features important advisories, guidelines, resources, and materials on the COVID-19 outbreak for all UN duty stations, offices, personnel and their families, visitors, and UN healthcare workers, as well as advice on maintaining wellness. It is updated with the latest available information.

 

Meetings

Get information on UN meetings that are being held virtually due to COVID-19.

 

Documents

General Assembly resolutions

Secretary-General's reports

 

Video

Broadcast-quality video 

UN WebTV COVID-19 playlist

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Communication Materials

Social media posters, advice for patients and health workers and key scenarios for printing

Novel Coronavirus Situation

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Explore

doctors visiting woman at her doorway

14 May 2020 - The UN Human Rights High Commissioner on Thursday warned of potential risks as more countries move to lift lockdown measures put in place to contain COVID-19 spread.

 

nurse wearing mask, taking care of baby

12 May 2020 - As the coronavirus outbreak enters its fifth month, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said that the health crisis is “quickly becoming a child rights crisis”, requesting $1.6 billion to support its humanitarian response for children impacted by the pandemic. And without urgent action, a further 6,000 under-fives could die each day.

 

Kai Bussant posing in sari on the beach

9 May 2020 - A fashion designer and stylist in New Orleans, one of the early epicentres of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States, has said that she was left “stifled and confused” by the disruption caused by the pandemic, but recognizes there are opportunities to grow creatively and serve the community by making face masks, with some fashion flair.

 

“Women Rise for All” is a new initiative that brings together women leaders to mobilize support for the UN Recovery Trust Fund

Women Rise for All

“Women Rise for All” is a new initiative that brings together women leaders to mobilize support for the UN Recovery Trust Fund and the UN roadmap for social and economic recovery, as laid out in the new United Nations Framework for the immediate socio-economic response to COVID-19.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic will uniquely affect women in many ways. To respond effectively to the crisis, leaders around the world must take into account gender-dynamics of the outbreak’s impact. Paying attention to women’s needs and leadership will strengthen the #COVID19 response.

 

The formal declaration of a #COVID19 #pandemic does not change the fact that you can - and should - take these simple steps to protect yourself and your loved ones.