Locations
Protecting frontline workers who deliver vital services to the public is key during the coronavirus pandemic. UNDP is working to ensure that law enforcement officers in Iraq are protected from COVID-19, so that they may continue to serve and protect the public.
On August 31, with generous support from the Government of Canada, 2000 boxes of protective gloves, 1750 boxes of medical facemasks, and 2000 bottles of hand sanitizer were handed over to the Iraqi Ministry of Interior and Police Affairs Agency.
Most of the protective equipment will go to police officers in Baghdad, the country’s capital and most populous city.
Canada is a key partner for UNDP's ongoing work to strengthen local policing in Iraq, and this important work aligns with identified priorities within the Government of Iraq's Security Sector Reform aimed at improving criminal justice and local policing.
Resident Representative of UNDP Iraq, Zena Ali Ahmed, emphasizes, “UNDP is grateful to the Government of Canada for this generous contribution, which will help local police in their efforts to protect the public from the pandemic while also ensuring their own safety from the coronavirus.”
Following this initial supply, additional medical masks, examination gloves, hand sanitizer, and face shields will be provided by UNDP.
In addition to this, the Government of Canada has contributed US$1.85 million to support the Government of Iraq’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic in partnership with UNDP in Iraq, which includes building isolation wards, providing life-saving medical equipment and providing PPE for healthcare workers.
