The British Virgin Islands will receive over USD$362,000 in funding from the United Nations (UN) COVID-19 Response and Recovery Multi-Partner Trust Fund (COVID-19 MPTF Fund) as a participating country in the Joint Programme on “Social Protection and employability promotion to mitigate the socio-economic impact of COVID-19.” The Joint Programme supports the UN Multi-Sectoral Response Plan (MRP) for the Eastern Caribbean that is helping the Governments to respond to the global pandemic.
The funds will contribute to the Government of the British Virgin Islands’ Income Support Programme established to assist vulnerable persons affected by the impact of COVID-19 on the society. It is accompanied by technical assistance that will be provided by the International Labour Organisation, World Food Programme and UNICEF to enhance vulnerable persons’ employability and boost social protection overall.
Commenting on the funding provided by the COVID-19 MPTF Fund, Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable. Andrew A. Fahie said, “The UN has been an indispensable partner of the British Virgin Islands since the onset of the global pandemic. This new round of funding support and ongoing technical assistance from multiple UN agencies is a reflection of the maturing relationship between the British Virgin Islands and United Nations.”
Premier added, “I thank UN Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Mr. Didier Terbucq, and his team, for their advocacy and for following through on UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres’ pledge to leave no one behind.”
Minister of Health and Social Development Honourable Carvin Malone whose Ministry overseas the Income Support Programme added, “The UN’s financial contribution to the Income Support Programme and provision of technical assistance in the areas of employment and social protection are a welcomed boost to our ongoing efforts to support those vulnerable persons in our community affected by COVID-19 who require assistance during this difficult time. We will continue to work with our UN partners in the local response to the pandemic.”
The COVID-19 MPTF Fund was launched by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in 2020 to provide funding support to Governments after the outbreak of the global pandemic in 2020. The Joint Programme which falls under the UN (COVID-19) Multi-Sectoral Response Plan for the Eastern Caribbean includes the British Virgin Islands and Antigua and Barbuda.