COVID-19 Situation Report No. 5 for UNFPA Asia and Pacific

Regional Situation

With over 600,000 confirmed cases, India continues to see a rapid rise and has the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the region. Iran, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia continue to experience increase in new cases.

Maldives has the highest number of COVID-19 cases per million population in the Asia Pacific region, although new cases are now decreasing.

In countries with fragile health systems, refugees and displaced populations are extremely vulnerable. More than 46 cases have been confirmed in the overcrowded Rohingya refugee camps of Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh.

Countries in the region are responding to natural disasters in addition to the pandemic, including India, Bangladesh, Philippines, Indonesia, Vanuatu and Timor-Leste.

UNFPA Response Highlights

At least 68,655 youth have received support through youth health lines in Afghanistan (15,300), Bangladesh (4,642), India (19,640), Lao PDR (25,000) and Nepal (4,073).

46,515 women and adolescent girls have received dignity kits in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, Maldives, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan and in the Pacific. The majority of kits have been customised for the COVID-19 context with additional protective items and information on available GBV services.

At least 15 country offices and the Pacific Sub-regional Office (PSRO) are investing in GBV capacity building of health and social workers, case managers, counsellors, social mobilisers and/or Government staff.