The UN Development Programme continues to assist Karakalpakstan in the fight against coronavirus infection. On December 31, 2020, within the framework of the UNDP and UNFPA Joint Programme on "Building the resilience of local communities against health, environmental and economic insecurities caused by environmental destruction in the Aral Sea region", funded by the Government of Japan, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Karakalpakstan received six artificial lung ventilation (AVL) devices.

Emergency assistance to the health system through the provision of necessary medical equipment and supplies is an integral part of the cooperation between the Joint Programme and the Ministry of Health of Karakalpakstan. During the pandemic, this partnership has acquired a new vector of interaction.

In order to raise awareness of the population of Karakalpakstan about the features of coronavirus infection, measures to protect against infection and the first symptoms, 115,000 information booklets, posters in Karakalpak and Russian languages, as well as 20,000 units of medical masks were handed over to the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Karakalpakstan in June 2020.

A particular attention is paid to medical workers. To ensure their safety while working with COVID-19 patients and carrying out preventive measures, with the assistance of the Joint Programme, appropriate medical supplies and special equipment were also provided: medical protective overalls – 1,200 units, protective glasses - 300 units, antiseptics - 100 units, non-contact thermometers - 50 units and 570 pulse oximeters.

UNDP continues to assist Uzbekistan in reducing the spread of COVID-19 and mitigating its negative impact on vulnerable populations.