Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-Generalon humanitarian assistance and access during the fight against COVID-19
The Secretary-General remains deeply concerned that the coronavirus continues to spread at an alarming rate, including
into countries where millions of people cannot easily access clean water, food, healthcare and shelter. Given the
potentially devastating impact on some of the world’s most vulnerable countries, the Secretary-General stresses the need
for a concerted, coordinated global response that encompasses communities such as refugees, migrants, stateless people,
those who are internally displaced and others who may be on the margins.
The Secretary-General urges national authorities to work closely with UN Resident Coordinators and Humanitarian
Coordinators to enable the provision of humanitarian assistance by the United Nations and by national and international
non-governmental organizations. This requires fast-tracking the passage of health and aid workers at borders and
in-country, ensuring they are protected, and promoting respect for their work. Just as health workers are considered
critical personnel around the world, so should humanitarian workers be designated as essential, given their direct and
indispensable role in delivering life-saving assistance. The United Nations will continue to support national
authorities in these efforts.
The Secretary-General stresses the need to aid those least able to protect themselves. This is a matter of basic human
solidarity and the only way we will overcome the pandemic.
Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General
New York, 3 April 2020