Jakarta - The first shipment of ventilators procured by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) arrived in Jakarta today. This shipment is part of the joint effort by the three UN organizations to provide assistance to the Government of Indonesia in its response to COVID-19.

Together, UNDP, WHO and IOM will provide a total of 33 ventilators over four weeks at an estimated cost of USD 762,460. WHO will contribute 27 ventilators supported through a partnership with the Government of Japan, and three each from IOM and UNDP. The logistical procurement operation is conducted by UNDP.

The first shipment which includes two ventilators each from WHO and IOM and one from UNDP will be handed over to the Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB). The supplies will be deployed around the country to health facilities in critical need. BNPB is taking part in the COVID 19 response along with the Ministry of Health.

"The severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia requires support and partnerships. The medical equipment, which UNDP is procuring as part of a joint initiative with WHO and IOM, helps address one of the most urgent needs and will give COVID-19 victims vital health care. In complement, UNDP together with the rest of the UN Development System will intensify its support to cushion the socio-economic impact of the pandemic on the Indonesian people and prepare for a green sustainable recovery in close partnership with the Government. This first delivery is part of our commitment to providing care to those who need it most and to ensuring that no one is left behind," said UNDP Resident Representative Mr. Christophe Bahuet.

Although many patients infected with COVID-19 do not require hospital treatment, severe illness can cause damage to the lungs and necessitate the use of ventilators to help regulate breathing.

"Globally, there has been high demand for essential equipment to treat COVID-19, so these ventilators, will make a significant impact in providing critical care to those patients worst affected, across the country," said Dr N. Paranietharan, WHO Representative to Indonesia. "Working in solidarity, we are able to address some of the vital health needs."

"In addition to the tragic health consequences of COVID-19, the pandemic has had a severe impact on people's ability to move within and between countries, and on people's livelihoods, security, and well-being," stated Louis Hoffmann, Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration. "IOM is proud to support the Government response efforts to combat COVID-19, and the delivery of these ventilators with funding from the Australian government, is part of a larger package of critical, lifesaving supplies and equipment that IOM will be delivering to support the ever-resilient Indonesian people, migrants, and refugees in the country."

As of 31 May 2020, there were 26,473 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Indonesia, with 1,613 deaths. Cases of COVID-19 have been reported in 414 districts across all 34 Indonesian provinces.

The next shipment of ventilators is expected in the coming days.

Media contacts

UNDP Communication Specialist, Tomi Soetjipto, suryo.tomi@undp.org

WHO Communications Officer, Madeleine Broadbridge,seinocomm@who.int

IOM Programme Support Officer, Patrik Shirak, pshirak@iom.int

About UNDP

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP

About WHO

The World Health Organization provides global leadership in public health within the United Nations system. Founded in 1948, WHO works with 194 Member States, across six regions and from more than 150 offices, to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable. Our goal for 2019-2023 is to ensure that a billion more people have universal health coverage, to protect a billion more people from health emergencies, and provide a further billion people with better health and wellbeing. #HealthforAll

About IOM

Established in 1951, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) - UN Migration - is the leading inter-governmental organization dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by advancing the understanding of migration issues, assisting governments in meeting the challenges of migration, encouraging social and economic development through migration, and upholding the dignity and well-being of migrants, their families and their communities. Follow on social media at @iomindonesia