DISASTER RESPONSE COORDINATION UNIT : COVID-19 response

Weekly situation update Date: 17 April 2020

This update is issued by the DRCU and summarizes current situation, DRCU and other partners’ support to the response effort for the period of 10-17 April 2020. Key statistics As of 17 April 2020 Total cases 600 Total number of 489 confirmed cases of 500 489 COVID-19 400 The number of new 23 cases from total 300 298 200 The number of human 5 147 losses 100 58 0 The number of 114

recovered cases

6-Apr 2-Apr 4-Apr 8-Apr

10-Apr 12-Apr 14-Apr 16-Apr

17-Mar 19-Mar 21-Mar 23-Mar 25-Mar 27-Mar 29-Mar 31-Mar

On 18 March 2020 the first three cases were recorded in the Kyrgyz Republic that were detected among those, who returned from Umra pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. Kyrgyzstan’s Age group Number % from Security Council recommended the state of emergency on 22 March, total and the Government subsequently imposed stricter measures, placing checkpoints in every region and city, and shutting down Under 15 45 9.2 facilities (cafes, cinemas, shopping malls, and other entertainment From 16 to 19 13 2.7 places), leaving only grocery stores, food markets, pharmacies, and From 20 to 35 medical facilities. 118 24.1 From 35 to 55 On 14 April based on the Decrees of the President of the Kyrgyz 189 38.7 Republic, the state of emergency in , , Jalal-Abad cities Above 55 124 25.4 and Kara-Suu, Nookat districts of Osh oblast, district of Jalal- Abad oblast has been extended until 30 April 2020. In addition, a state of emergency was introduced in and At- Bashy districts of Naryn oblast from 15 to 30 April 2020. As of 17 April, 489 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the Kyrgyz Republic and 5 deaths. According to Ministry of Health, among the confirmed cases, 223 are male (45.6%) and 266 are female (54.4%). Please also see in the table age disaggregation among the confirmed cases. The number of contact persons is 7 593. There are 857 people in the observation in Kyrgyzstan. In Kyrgyzstan, as of 17 April, 116 medical staff were infected, of which 12 new cases.

Disaster Response Coordination Unit COVID-19

Priority sectors Required Received % of funding (USD) (USD) PROGRESS -19 % Health 15,800,000 3,278,8851 20.75%

Food security 13,429,000 4,449,000 33.13% and Logistics 19% WASH and NFI 1,400,000 67,000 4.78%

Protection 1,187,000 607,000 51.14%

Education 626,600 341,600 54.52%

Early Recovery 18,864,000 1,004,000 5.32% 81%

Total 51,306,600 9,667,485 19%

During the reporting period according National Shtab information and Financial Tracking System (FTS) below assistance was provided by Government and via bilateral channels.

Government assistance • As of 16 April 2020, Ministry of Emergencies of the Kyrgyz Republic continued disinfection activities. MoES prepared more than 11,961 beds. Throughout the republic, in the sanitary-quarantine posts and roadblocks of the MoES installed 120 tents and 56 units of mobile-residential houses. Citizens accommodated in the observations are provided with 3 meals a day. In total, more than 900 employees of the Ministry of Emergencies and 117 units of equipment are involved. • A monitoring system has been launched for citizens obliged to be in home quarantine. A special resource and mobile application is used only for persons placed under home quarantine (not infected). The application is installed on the phone with the voluntary consent of a citizen who signs the corresponding obligation for the period of quarantine. • From February 2, 2020 to date, 35 charter flights have been made to deliver Kyrgyz citizens who are abroad. • Today, another 4,371 people want to return to Kyrgyzstan. Among them 2716 people are in Moscow, Yekaterinburg and Novosibirsk. Negotiations on the opening of charter flights for the transport of citizens with neighboring countries are ongoing. Today, April 17, a plane will fly from Istanbul with 212 passengers on board. Upon arrival all of them will be accommodated at the Ak Keme Hotel for observation. • According to the message of the Minister of Culture, Information and Tourism more than 170 thousand families in need received different types of assistance. Through the "Shtab Pomoshi" in Bishkek – 13,235 families, in Chui oblast - 29,153 families, in Osh oblast - 38,405, in oblast - 7,654, in Jalal-Abad oblast - 25,397, in Naryn oblast - 5,249, in Talas oblast - 6,623, in Issyk-Kul oblast - 16,195 received food assistance. • Please see below accumulated cash assistance to Ministries accounts as of 17 April 2020.

Name of Ministry Received to date Spent to date (KGS) Balance (KGS) (KGS)

Ministry of Health of Kyrgyz Republic 128,770,585 7,735,534.79 121,035,050.21

Ministry of Labor and Social Development of 14,715,732.78 13,379,996 1,335,736.78

Kyrgyz Republic Mayor`s Office of Bishkek city 3,212,584 2,520,881 691,703.00

• In Naryn oblast, mobile shops have been created to provide agriculture. These measures are aimed at reducing congestion and preventing the spread of coronavirus. • 200 million soms allocated for the purchase of food products for low-income families. The corresponding decision was signed by the Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic.

1 Average estimation without Turkey-Kyrgyzstan Friendship Hospital 2 COVID-19 Bilateral assistance • During the reporting period Kazakhstan has provided humanitarian assistance to Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, in the form of 5,000 tons of flour to each country.

Local funds and initiatives • Within funds (KGS 16 million) allocated by the shareholders of Alliance Altyn LLC for the prevention and control of coronavirus, a mechanical ventilation device was delivered to the Talas Regional Hospital. • One of the national movements transferred 100 sets of reusable protective clothing and 10 thousand masks to hospitals in the Osh city. • OJSC Aiyl Bank and OJSC RSK Bank will not charge a fee on the cards of pensioners and recipients of state benefits when receiving cash using the Elcard national payment card system.

EARLY RECOVERY

Needs: • Support 620,100 vulnerable population 620,100 • Unemployment, income decrease, access to government service are prioritized. • Socio-economic impact assessment is will be conducted to identify needs People targeted Response: • Conduct extended early recovery partners meeting on 13th April. Next meeting on 20th April • Needs assessments are being implemented to clarify the impact of the COVID outbreak and accompanying restrictions on the vulnerable groups, including MSME’s, rural communities and migrant families. • ACTED in coordination with FHI360(USAID), re-programing the Active Communities program to respond to the COVID outbreak. Gaps & Constraints: • The needs assessment will provide more specific information on existing gaps and constraints regarding Early Recovery gaps and constraints to plan • Planting season is approaching and insufficient income and input for the agriculture • Recent cold weather affected farmers’ activities resulting in a loss in their production. • Restriction of movement imposed by government lead discontinuation of project implementation • Insufficient data for unregister population in the new settlement area leads miss selection of beneficiaries

EDUCATION

Needs: • Approx. 2.4 million children and young people are affected by the educational facility closure and in need of remote learning. 2.5M • More than 100,000 teachers are in need of clear instruction and capacity for People targeted providing and monitoring remote learning. • Approx. 500,000 parents/caregivers are in need of recommendations on how to effectively spend time with and support learning of children at home.

Response: • The Ministry of Education and Science, with support of the Education Sector, has launched remote learning tools (e.g. online video lessons and TV lessons) on 8 April. It is expected to ensure continuous learning of students and completion of Q4, the last quarter of the academic year 2019-2020, by end May. Gaps & Constraints: • Some cases where children who have no access neither to the internet nor TV have been reported. More solid assessment covering wider population is required. • Information gaps between the Ministry of Education and Science and students, parents/caregivers and teachers need to be bridged on the available remote learning tools and how to utilize them.

3 COVID-19 FOOD SECURITY AND LOGISTICS

Needs: • 500,000 people in extreme poverty require immediate direct food assistance out of 500,000 estimated 1.83 million people (poor, people with disabilities, pensioners with income below minimal food basket and about 1 million ‘new poor’ who lost jobs) People targeted will require food or cash assistance • 400,000 smallholder farmers in need of support to sustain and maintain agriculture season 2020 Response: • As of 16 April 2020, WFP in coordination with Ministry of Labour and Social Development distributed 822 metric tons of food assistance to 26.117 beneficiaries through regular asset creation and training programmes. Additional 215 metric tons of food will be distributed until the end of April 2020. • Government distribution of 5,000 metric tons of food allocated from state material reserve is ongoing. • Posters on breastfeeding and complementary feeding recommendations in the COVID-19 context for medical workers and breastfeeding mothers are developed and approved by the Expert Council on Educational and Informational Materials of the Ministry of Health. Dissemination of these materials is planned. • Essential nutrition services, including procurement of essential nutrition supplies to vulnerable children and pregnant women are planned, for which the funding request submitted to donors. • HELVETAS is planning to support most vulnerable community members in sixteen (16) most affected communities with 10,000 USD worth food and hygiene items. • FAO and WFP continue to regularly monitor food security, availability and accessibility via rapid assessment on weekly basis, in close cooperation with Ministry of Agriculture. Gaps & Constraints: • There is an urgent need to raise 8.4 million USD to cover the two months food requirement of about 500,000 most poor and vulnerable in the country during May and June 2020. • There is urgent need to mobilize 2.5 million USD in support of smallholder farmers to sustain and maintain agriculture season 2020 with a focus on ensuring their access to seeds, labor, fertilizers and livelihood care amidst restrictions. • UNICEF has submitted requests to its donors to re-programme some activities to meet the immediate needs, however, the activities still face a 530,000 USD gap. HEALTH

Needs: • To support the Government and the Ministry of Health of Kyrgyzstan to lead and 6.2 ensure an effective, timely and coordinated response that will mitigate the impact of COVID-19 outbreak in Kyrgyzstan, achieved through a clear response MILLION coordination mechanism and strategy, and clearly defined roles and People targeted responsibilities of all relevant national and international partners. Response: • Health Partners continue to strengthen national capacity, providing tailored trainings, and priority supplies including PPE, Laboratory tests and supplies. • WHO provided technical advice and guidance in line with up to date protocols and guidelines to strengthen case management, infection prevention and control, surveillance and laboratory investigations. In addition to WHO mobilized Emergency Medical team from Poland (including specialized staff in intensive care, and anesthesiologists, to support to provide lifesaving interventions in main referral hospitals and train staff on management of sever cases. • Partners continue to implement community awareness activities, providing tailored material in line with the communication plan. • Health Sector Partners conducted a coordination meeting, provided an update on response activities, updated on the consolidated resource mobilization and actions to strengthen the national health system to respond, and contain COVID19 infection. • Partners updated the 3W table, providing a compiled list of response activities in line with the 8 pillars of response. Gaps & Constraints: • MoH highlighted the main required medical equipment for critical care including ventilators, and laboratory supplies including test kits. • Mental Health of health providers was identified as a priority need. Health Sector will compose a sub-group to provide technical support, and develop tailored tools and guidelines 4 COVID-19 PROTECTION

Needs: • Need of shelter services for victims of GBV as well as psychosocial support to 1.5 survivors and victims • Need of development of SOPs and multi-sectoral mechanisms on GBV, as well as MILLION assist the Government in the establishment of mobile groups to support and People targeted timely react to GBV • Need of psychological support for elderly people, particularly for those that are living alone. • Need for supplies for elderly and people with disabilities in state care facilities, as well as for social workers as they are the ones directly engaged in COVID-19 response. • Due to the increase in discrimination in the south against persons that have been infected by COVID, there is a need to have a common response and approach, together with other sectors. • Need support for Family and Child Support Departments staff addressing domestic violence cases. Response: • Human Rights Situation monitoring is conducting on a weekly basis focusing on discrimination, access to justice and about the situation of people that violated the curfew. • Media monitoring is conducted on a weekly basis focusing on hate speech and discrimination • GBV sub-cluster meeting has been conducted with the participation of Deputy Minister of MLSD, SCO and international organizations. • Child Protection cluster maintains regular coordination with MLSD, SCO and international organizations • A Matrix with all the available hotlines has been established to understand targets, capacity and gaps and to avoid duplication among GBV and Child protection sub-sectors. • Dignity-hygiene kits are provided to observation points and vulnerable people (such as elderly people, persons with disabilities) in the amount of 8000 kits. • A Note Verbale has been sent to the Minister of Foreign Affairs about the restrictions for NHRIs’ staff movement. • 14 residential institutions are to be provided with protective supplies as well as protection equipment for social departments as per MLSD request. • Consultation with psychologist for children through Hotline 111 and Instagram. • 25 psychologists are already working to reach out of 400 children with disabilities and their families. • Concerning detainees, regular visits to places of detention to monitor conditions of detention and treatment of detainees are conducted. Detention facilities under the Ministry of the Interior and the State Service for the Execution of Punishment (SSEP) are assisted by providing them hygiene and sanitation items. Penitentiary medical facilities are also assisted. • Support the SSEP in contacts tracing of confirmed COVID-19 patients within the SSEP.

Gaps & Constraints: • Derogation of some rights due to State of Emergency (such as freedom of movement and freedom of assembly). • Restriction of movement affects the access to healthcare, especially for people that need periodical treatment (such as antiviral drugs). • NHRIs are restricted in its mandate of monitoring due to the situation and restriction of movement. • In the south (Osh, Jalalabad), official messages and orders from commanders were issued only in KGZ language, which limits the access to information for linguistic minorities. • Religious leader, religious people and ethnic groups are the main targeted group of hate speech and discrimination in media. • Lack of youth/adolescence focus in the Sector Plan, which has been agreed to be addressed in the next version. • Lack of funds for assisting migrants in vulnerable situations to address their nutrition and basic needs

WASH

Needs: • Support local systems on rapid containment of localized outbreaks through 500,000 provision of needed supplies and care for first line responders including MoES. Please contact WASH Sector Lead for detailed list of items. Targeted people

5 COVID-19 Response: • Rubber boots- 2000units provided by UNICEF- distribution plan is expected from MES • Protective suits- 680units provided by UNICEF- distribution plan is expected from MES • Chlorine- 15tons is planned to be provided by WB (looking for suppliers and clearing the internal procedures) • Chlorine- 1350kg was provided to MES by MC to support the activities in Jalal-Abad

Gaps & Constraints: • The needs requests provided by MES reflect only the need of the given ministry not the needs of facilities or impacted population • The needs of the local population of the affected regions difficult to assess due to restrictions in place • Lack of donors and funding agencies within the WASH sector • Complicated internal procurement procedures by each sector member agency for quick response

The Government established in January 2020 a special stab (coordination center) under the Prime Minister. The Republican Shtab supported by two shtabs on health and socio-economic response. The Republican stab consists of all line ministries responsible for COVID-19 response. To develop proposals for implementation of measures aimed at attracting external assistance to overcome the impact of COVID-19 on the economy, the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic established expert working groups in the four areas. The Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic (MoES) is the operational branch for the Government’s Republican stab to coordinate all kinds of emergencies. MoES operates in collaboration with other line ministries, the territorial government bodies, local authorities, international and non-governmental organizations, directly and through subordinate bodies. Even before the first COVID-19 cases were recorded, the Government has taken a number of measures to mitigate the spread of the disease. Following the confirmation of the first confirmed cases, the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic introduced a state of emergency in the country from 22 March 2020. On 16 March 2020 Government requested activation of Disaster Response Coordination Unit (DRCU) Council. In small and medium scale emergencies, DRCU takes the responsibility to coordinate and plan the multisector response. Under the leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator the international humanitarian community in the Republic of Kyrgyzstan has established DRCU, which comprises the heads of the UN agencies, Red Cross/Red Crescent movement, international organizations and NGOs. UN OCHA National Disaster Response Advisor supports DRCU as Secretariat, DRCU is a consultative-deliberative mechanism whose main purpose is to coordinate humanitarian response to emergencies welcomed and/or upon the Kyrgyz Government relevant request and enhance collaboration among DRCU partners and other key actors.

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