Coronavirus global health emergency

Secretary-General António Guterres speaks at a meeting.

"We have a unique opportunity to design and implement more inclusive and accessible societies"

The COVID-19 crisis is affecting every aspect of our societies, revealing the extent of exclusion that the most marginalized members of society experience. Today, I would like to highlight how the pandemic is affecting the world’s 1 billion people with disabilities.

radio host at UN mission in Sudan
Department of Global Communications
04 May 2020 | UN Peacekeeping Operations

UN peacekeeping radio wears multiple hats in fight against COVID-19

From sharing vital health information about COVID-19 to providing educational programmes during school closures, radio stations operated by United Nations peacekeeping missions are now offering vital services amid the coronavirus crisis.

Boy holding a radio in one hand and a pencil in the other.
Department of Global Communications
01 May 2020 | Education, Health

Education and COVID-19: UN helps children continue their learning

While schools are reopening in some corners of the world after pandemic-induced closures, the United Nations and its partners are helping children continue their learning through all possible means, including the Internet, radio and television.

Secretary-General António Guterres speaks to British centenarian online.
António Guterres
01 May 2020 | Secretary-General

"Our response to COVID-19 must respect the rights and dignity of older people"

The COVID-19 pandemic is causing untold fear and suffering for older people across the world. The fatality rate for older people is higher overall, and for those over 80, it is five times the global average. Beyond its immediate health impact, the pandemic is putting older people at greater risk of poverty, discrimination and isolation.

 

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

hand washing icon

Communication Materials

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

Novel Coronavirus Situation

map

Explore

women take a selfie

5 May 2020 - As the COVID-19 pandemic reshapes the way in which we work, keep in touch, go to school and shop for essentials – across the world – it has never been more important to bridge the digital divide for the 3.6 billion people who remain off-line.

 

journalists in Kabul

4 May 2020 - Journalists are key to countering the “dangerous outbreak of misinformation” accompanying the COVID-19 pandemic, the UN Secretary-General said on Monday during a virtual dialogue on promoting press freedom amid the global crisis.

 

Seoul, South Korea

1 May 2020 - On Thursday, the Republic of Korea recorded no locally transmitted COVID-19 cases, prompting praise from UN Secretary-General António Guterres. UN News has been finding out, from two UN colleagues based in the capital, Seoul, how life is changing for the better.

 

“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.