Health emergencies like COVID-19 threaten to cost many lives and pose additional risks to the global economy, social dynamics, human rights, and overall security and stability of nations. UNODC believes that the crisis cannot be overcome until the pandemic is addressed in all pockets of vulnerability, in line with the UN’s principle of ‘Leaving No One Behind’ and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our focus is also on the evolving implications of Covid-19, especially pertaining to human rights, health, peace, security and the rule of law. UNODC remains committed to delivering vital evidence-based and gender-responsive technical assistance to those in need, especially the marginalized, vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. These include people who use drugs and with drug use disorders, who are in prison and who have HIV/Hepatitis C.
Responding to the global crisis, UNODC has launched the ‘Lockdown Learners’ series of online dialogues with students and educators in India on COVID-19 and its impact on SDGs, peace and the rule of law. Through these dialogues, the aim is to sensitize students on concerns of vulnerable groups and emerging issues such as cybercrime, misinformation, gender-based violence, discrimination, and corruption, among others. The Lockdown Learners series also provide a platform for students to receive mentorship and knowledge support through activity-based learning, and use their talent and skills to promote awareness and share their ideas and solutions to address some of these problems.
Between 10 April-27 April, interactions have been conducted with nearly 1200 students and educators schools in Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, and E4J resources have been shared with over 10000 students in the schools. Through innovative practices, such as use of Whatsapp and Voice Notes, the program has also connected with students without access to high-speed internet.
UNODC Regional Office for South Asia has contributed over 1000 litres of Hand Sanitizers and post cards to support the Royal Government of Bhutan’s efforts to prevent and contain COVID-19. The support was extended to the Honourable Health Secretary of Bhutan on 06 April.
Bhutan: Public Appeals on COVID-19 and Organised Crime
On 18 April, UNODC, in collaboration with the Department of Law and Order, Government of Bhutan, shared a range of informative post-cards, with special messages on staying at home, and preventing cybercrime, trafficking in persons and domestic violence.
India: HIV/TB Awareness Program for Prison inmates
An HIV/TB awareness program was organised for prison inmates on 5 March at the Central Prison, Vadodara in collaboration with the Gujarat State AIDS Control Society and Prison Department, Gujarat. Over 375 participants--including 280 undertrial prisoners, 80 convicted prisoners and 15 jail staff--were briefed about the symptoms, ways of prevention and treatment options for HIV and TB. Infographics are also being translated into the Gujarati language.
COVID-19: UNODC Policy Documents,
Tools and Resources
Our activities in South Asia are possible
due to the generous support of:
Department of Revenue, Government of India
European Union
Germany
Japan
Sweden
Qatar
United Kingdom
US State Department
BE A PARTNER: MAKE AN IMPACT
In response to COVID-19, and its impact on vulnerable groups and emerging risks to security and peace, UNODC Regional Office for South Asia has developed a wide range of projects and initiatives on the following thematic areas:
-- Addressing Gender-based Violence
-- Strengthening Law Enforcement Responses
-- Countering Corruption
-- Youth Engagement through Education
-- Promoting Family Skills
-- Addressing the Needs of Drug Users, those with HIV/AIDS and Hep-C and those in prison settings
-- Strengthening Responses to COVID-19 in Prisons
-- Countering Cybercrime and Promoting Online Safety
-- Responding to the Needs of Human Trafficking Survivors, Refugees, Migrants and the Homeless
Activesupport from partners is requested to enable the implementation of these programs and to scale-up efforts to promote security, justice and health among vulnerable groups in South Asia. Our partnerships aim at building national and regional alliances on our mandates, which are closely linked to national, regional and global priorities as well as the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. Let's join hands to enable and aid large-scale and impactful initiatives that help people lead safer and healthier lives . Your support can make all the difference!
To know more, please contact:
Mr. Samarth Pathak
Communications Officer
UNODC Regional Office for South Asia
Email: samarth.pathak@un.org Cellphone: +91-9811347927
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) assists Member States in their efforts to combat illicit drugs and international crime. Over the past two decades, the UNODC Regional Office for South Asia(ROSA) has been working with governments and civil society in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka, providing specialized assistance to address challenges pertaining to drugs, organised crime, security, justice and health. The commitment to Sustainable Development Goals, human rights and the rule of law is at the core of our mandate.
Contact Us
EP 16/17, Chandragupta Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110021, India
Telephone: +91-11-24104968/70/73
Email: samarth.pathak@un.org
