Regional Highlights
- With over 207,000 confirmed cases, India has seen a rapid rise and now has the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the Asia Pacific region. Iran, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Indonesia continue to experience a rapid increase in confirmed cases.
- Several countries in the region are responding to natural disasters during the pandemic, including India, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Vanuatu and Timor-Leste.
- In countries with fragile health systems, refugees and displaced populations are extremely vulnerable. More than
- 20 cases have been confirmed in the overcrowded Rohingya refugee camps of Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh, with the first COVID-19-related death of a Rohingya refugee confirmed.
- Cross-border movements can make countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan and Nepal vulnerable to new cases.
- Small island states with weak health systems are also vulnerable. The Maldives has seen a rapid rise in cases.
- At least nine country offices and the Pacific Sub-Regional Office (PSRO) are implementing activities tailored to the needs of people with disabilities, including customisation of dignity kits, development of safety apps and accessible information dissemination.
- At least ten country offices and the PSRO are meeting the needs of older men and women by implementing activities tailored to their unique needs, such as provision of community-based health care services, customisation of dignity kits and risk communication.
- UNFPA is supporting innovative remote and tele-health service delivery for both SRH and GBV.
- While additional resources have been mobilised, a significant funding gap remains. Other challenges include disruptions to supply chains, movement restrictions impacting service delivery and ensuring services reach vulnerable migrant populations.
