The UNFPA’s country office in Azerbaijan, as part of its COVID-19 response measures, completed the procurement and supply of a list of medical and hygiene supplies to its partner organizations. Thus, the Fund delivered gloves, surgical masks, digital thermometers, disinfectants for hands and surfaces, reusable face shields and other supplies to a number of organizations providing social and healthcare services in the country.

In order to support the operation of women shelters in times of current pandemic and contribute to the protection of shelter habitants from COVID-19, some part of these supplies were handed over to the shelters functioning under the accreditation of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection Population across the country – in particular, the "Tamiz Dunya" shelter (Baku city) and "Temas" shelter (Ganja city).

Given the critical importance of ensuring the health of pregnant women, young mothers and newborns during the pandemic, UNFPA provided some of the supplies to the Obstetrics and Gynecology Scientific-Research Institute for further distribution among maternity hospitals and antenatal clinics.

A certain quantity of the materials was also delivered to the “Uchuncu Bahar” Public Union, an organization working with old people, which, in its turn, will utilize these supplies for the needs of the old people in its network.

“From the very first day of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, the UNFPA office in Azerbaijan has been taking certain steps to help fight the disease. Our organization is involved in providing practical support to the public awareness raising efforts as well as other areas of combating COVID-19 in the country. We will further continue to support the nationwide COVID-19 response measures to the full extent of our capabilities”, comments Farid Babayev, head of the UNFPA country office in Azerbaijan.

Operating in the country since 1994, the UNFPA cooperates with the government of Azerbaijan in the spheres of promoting gender equality and combating gender-based violence, ensuring reproductive health and rights, and demography and population issues.