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Table of Contents

Introduction 7

The UNDP integrated response to COVID-19 - global perspective 10

UNDP’s engagement in the COVID-19 response in Bosnia and 13

01 Supporting health systems to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, including procurement of vital medical supplies and equipment 15 02 Multi-sector crisis management and response to COVID-19 26 03 Addressing the socioeconomic impact of COVID-19 29

Lessons learned 37

Annex 1 - Procurement - institutional arrangements, rules and procedures 41

Annex 2 - Medical equipment and supplies purchased and delivered with contributions of international partners 45

The Delegation of the European Union to 46 The Kingdom of Norway 52 Sweden 54 The Government of Switzerland/SDC 58 UNDP 58 The Government of Austria/ADA 60 Novartis Pharma Services Inc. 60

Annex 3 - Medical equipment and supplies purchased and delivered with contributions of authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina 61

Institute of Health Insurance of Canton 62 Canton Sarajevo 64 Public Health Institute 64 City of 64 Central-Bosnia Canton 65 Herzegovina-Neretva Canton 65 West Herzegovina Canton 65 -Doboj Canton 66 66 07

Introduction

At the beginning of February to support the immediate coordination, understanding 2021, as the world rejoiced at response to COVID-19, The the socioeconomic impact and the beginning of immunisation crisis changed the way we supported business continu- against COVID-19, the World worked, our immediate prior- ity and job retention. Our work Health Organization reported ities for 2020 and affected all and the results achieved were more than two million lives areas of our programme. In a made possible by the strong lost and more than 102 million matter of days, UNDP moved partnerships with international COVID-19 cases worldwide. its operations online and intro- organisations and domestic The past months have been duced special procedures to institutions with a shared goal challenging, revealing deficien- accelerate procurement and in mind: to save and protect the cies that exposed the world decision-making. In March lives of all people in country. to the pandemic and in some 2020, UNDP presented its The pandemic was a test to cases deepened the existing ‘Prepare, Respond, Recover’1 cooperation and partnerships gaps. Yet the unity and solidar- integrated response to COVID- and showed, more starkly than ity demonstrated in response 19. It focused on three imme- ever, how we must respond to the COVID-19 pandemic has diate priorities, namely health collectively and in new, more shown that we can achieve so systems support, multisector flexible ways to complex and much when working together. and socioeconomic impact unprecedented global chal- assessment and response. In lenges. Back in March 2020, as the Bosnia and Herzegovina, UNDP Building on the lessons learned pandemic was declared, the applied these three tracks of since March 2020, the design United Nations mobilised to response, under the leadership of UNDP’s work in 2021 and support governments in their of the UN Resident Coordina- beyond will support decision efforts to save lives, control tor, and working closely with makers look beyond recovery the transmission of the virus the World Health Organization and toward 2030, when making and ease the economic fallout. and other members of the choices and managing the As health systems started to UN country team. This report complex and uncertain envi- crumble, it became evident describes our activities along ronment in four main areas: that no country could over- all three tracks. In 2020, we governance, social protection, come the pandemic alone and managed to procure and by 31 the green economy, and digital that the pandemic cannot be December deliver more than disruption. addressed one country at a 9.1 million items of essential time. A substantial immediate life-saving medical equip- and sustained global response ment and supplies, funded was crucial. by 15 domestic and interna- tional partners. In parallel to As part of the United Nations supporting the response of the country team in Bosnia and health systems, we contrib- Herzegovina, UNDP mobilized uted to crisis management and

1 https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/librarypage/hiv-aids/covid-19-undp_s-integrated-response.html 08 09

2020 TIMELINE

24 April 24 April 10 ECG devices Sweden allocates USD secured through 1,242,963.57 within funding provided by three UNDP projects to the Kingdom of support response to September 19 March Norway are COVID-19, including The Emergency Launch of UN BiH 22 March delivered to the waste management, 31 December Response to the Socioeconomic UNDP issues a call Clinical Centre of interventions at local More than 9.1 million COVID-19 crisis in Impact aimed at domestic the University of level, and production of pieces of medical Bosnia and Assessment of the companies capable of Sarajevo. personal protective equipment and Herzegovina 02 April COVID-19 crisis in producing personal equipment. Bosnia and supplies, including begins. Delivery of protective equipment 23 May Herzegovina, ventilators, X-ray 5 March 7,500 (PPE) and other 10 ventilators, 3 prepared by UNDP 30 October machines, PCR The first officially EU-funded 11 December medical and sanitation X-ray machines as technical lead The number of machines and other recognised case of COVID-19 test The number of supplies. and PPE funded for socioeconomic confirmed cases of diagnostic equipment, COVID-19 in Bosnia kits and confirmed cases of 20 March 29 April by the European recovery. COVID-19 in Bosnia COVID-19 tests, and Herzegovina. 15,000 locally COVID-19 in Bosnia UNDP initiates The Gerontology Union are handed and Herzegovina personal protective produced face and Herzegovina procurement of urgent Centre in Sarajevo over to medical reaches 50,000. equipment and 26 March shields. 24 July reaches 100,000. medical supplies and receives packages 04 May institutions medical waste The EU Delegation to The number of equipment. of protective The Public Health throughout the management items, BIH and UNDP confirmed cases equipment secured Institute of country. September purchased and announce Republika Srpska of COVID-19 in 11 March with funds provided Launch of the 30 October delivered in cooperation to receives five ECG Bosnia and The World Health 21 March by the Kingdom of Social Impact of 4.23 million accordance with the implement EUR 7 machines and Herzegovina Organization The first COVID-19 10 April Norway and Canton COVID-19 in essential medical requests made by the million of EU funds personal reaches 10,000. 11 December declares COVID-19 related death in The first online Sarajevo. Bosnia and items and respective domestic for medical supplies protective 8.16 million essential a global pandemic. Bosnia and ideathon 24 May Herzegovina: equipment worth authorities. and equipment as equipment secured medical items and Herzegovina. ‘covIDEJA2020’ is Тhe state of household survey BAM 14.3 million part of the EU’s through funds equipment delivered. launched. May emergency in 24 July conducted by delivered. immediate COVID-19 provided by the Rapid Assessment Bosnia and 2.48 million UNICEF and support to BIH. Kingdom of of the Impact of the Herzegovina essential UNDP Bosnia and 20-27 March Norway. UNDP was entrusted USD COVID-19 is lifted. medical items Herzegovina. 16 and 17 March 2.14 million for pandemic on the and equipment The Council of Ministers procurement of medical 31 March Civil Protection worth BAM and both entity supplies and equipment The first structures 10.6 million governments declare a through seven financing EU-funded batch 13 April conducted in 17 May 24 May delivered. state of emergency. of 2,500 COVID-19 The number of agreements signed with cooperation with Launch of the 2.34 million test kits is confirmed cases the governments of the the Ministry of Economic Pulse essential delivered to of COVID-19 in Security of Bosnia 100K Posavina Canton, the of Bosnia and medical items August 23 September 17 March Herzegovina-Neretva cantonal hospitals Bosnia and and Herzegovina. Herzegovina - a UNDP supports and equipment Information The United Nations Canton, the Central in Sarajevo, Herzegovina platform for five companies to delivered to campaign on Country Team Bosnia Canton, the Public and , reaches 1,000. business data, pilot innovative May health COVID-19 waste receives a request Health Institute of and to the economic business models Economic Impact institutions management from the Presidency of Republika Srpska, the Republika Srpska recovery towards green Assessment of countrywide. launched, supported Bosnia and Kingdom of Norway, the Institute of Public measures and and circular Health. COVID-19 in Bosnia by Sweden. Herzegovina for Embassy of Switzerland and Herzegovina the voice of the economy in support in responding and the Novartis prepared by UNDP. private sector. response to 50K to the pandemic. Company. COVID-19 pandemic.

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JAN 01 MAR 31 JUN 30 SEP 30 DEC 31 10

The UNDP Integrated Response to COVID-19 - global perspective

Working at the heart of the United Nations and in close coordination with the World Health Organization (WHO), UNDP responded to the growing volume of requests from countries for help in preparing their response to and later recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic with particular focus on the most vulnerable.

The support UNDP provides echoed across the world had new, more agile and smarter stems from its mission to limited geographic impact. The approach. eradicate poverty, reduce required resources, goods inequality and build resilience and supplies were by default Being fully operational in 170 to crises and shocks. UNDP provided by countries not countries and territories, draws on its experience from affected by a crisis and assis- UNDP has mobilised all of its previous crises and outbreaks tance to crisis response was assets in response to this such as Ebola, HIV, SARS, TB led by a sense of human soli- unprecedented challenge. and malaria, as well as on darity. A concentrated effort UNDP’s long history of work- can ensure that a hot-zone In March 2020, UNDP ing with the private and public receives immediate relief. presented its ‘Prepare, sectors. In contrast, the ‘old-normal’ Respond, Recover’2 inte- approach to dealing with grated response to COVID-19. COVID-19 has highlighted the crises is comparable to keep- It focused on three immedi- fact that a pandemic cannot ing a boat afloat by plugging ate priorities, namely health be addressed one country one hole at a time. The deep systems support, multisector at a time and that no country disruption that became evident and socioeconomic impact can address it alone. Most of at the onset of the pandemic assessment and response. the outbreaks of crises that underlined the need for a A COVID-19 Rapid Response

2 https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/librarypage/hiv-aids/covid-19-undp_s-integrated-response.html 11

UNDP RESPONSE OBJECTIVES

PREPARE FOR AND 01 PROTECT PEOPLE FROM THE PANDEMIC AND ITS IMPACTS RESPOND 02 DURING THE OUTBREAK

RECOVER FROM 03 THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL IMPACTS

Facility was launched, action. UNDP has invested other financing and in taking using funding from existing in building a next genera- steps to ensure that frontline resources and initially capi- tion network of innovation staff are well supported and talised to the amount of USD and digital solutions across cared for as UNDP helps coun- 20 million. its global team. This consti- tries through this crisis. tutes a crucial institutional UNDP transitioned all criti- asset within the response to The UNDP Accelerator Lab cal operations to digital and this complex and fast-moving Network senses changes on virtual platforms. This has crisis. UNDP has streamlined the ground and sources local enabled our teams to continue policies and procedures in solutions and solutions from to deliver effectively, regard- order to achieve greater agility, around the world for the crisis less of the restrictions on increase flexibility to receive response. movement and physical inter- and deliver private sector and 12

The UNDP COVID-19 response is in line with the UNDP Strategic Plan and builds on its current engagement at the country level, working across our six signature solutions — poverty, governance, resilience, environment, energy and gender — and across multiple development contexts.

Within three months, UNDP response led by the WHO and had mobilised over USD 170 AS THE UNITED NATIONS LEAD- the humanitarian response, as million in new funding from ING DEVELOPMENT NETWORK detailed in the COVID-19 Global our partners and in agreement ON THE GROUND AND A CRITI- Humanitarian Response Plan with our donors and partners CAL PLAYER IN THE OVERALL led by the Office for the Coordi- repurposed over USD 150 UNITED NATIONS RESPONSE TO nation of Humanitarian Affairs. million in programme funds. THE PANDEMIC, UNDP IS WORK- This included USD 30 million ING HAND-IN-HAND WITH THE The next phase of the UNDP disbursed to 130 country UNITED NATIONS RESIDENT COVID-19 crisis response, offices globally through the COORDINATORS AND COUNTRY launched in July 2020, is new Rapid Response Facility TEAMS AND WITH ITS SISTER designed to help decision that supports governments DEVELOPMENT ENTITIES makers look beyond the recov- in addressing their COVID-19 GLOBALLY AND REGIONALLY ery and toward 2030, when priorities. The United Nations TO SUPPORT AN INTEGRATED making choices and managing socioeconomic response, UNITED NATIONS RESPONSE TO complex and uncertain situa- where UNDP serves as tech- COVID-19. tions within four main areas: nical lead, is one of three crit- governance, social protection, ical components of the United green economy and digital Nations effort to save lives, disruption. This encompasses protect people and rebuild UNDP’s role as technically better. This runs parallel to leading the United Nations the United Nations health socioeconomic response. 13

UNDP’s engagement in the COVID-19 response in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Following the declaration of a state of emergency, the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina addressed the United Nations on 17 March 2020 with a request for assistance in dealing with the outbreak and in partic- ular the need for urgently required medical protective equipment, equipment for testing samples, ventilators and mobile X-ray machines.

Further to this, on 25 March its global corporate offer, the socioeconomic impact 2020, the Ministry of Security UNDP developed an integrated of COVID-19 through a of Bosnia and Herzegovina, support package under the whole-of-society approach. in its role as the chair-insti- ‘Emergency Response to the tution of the Civil Protection COVID-19 Crisis in Bosnia and Within this initiative, UNDP and Rescue Coordination Herzegovina Initiative’. The provided a platform for coor- Body, addressed UNDP with a initiative comprised the follow- dination of COVID-19 essential request for support in regard ing three components: assets and health procure- to the procurement of medi- ment to the relevant authori- cal supplies and equipment, 1 Supporting health systems ties, international partners, the coordination of overall assis- to respond adequately to private sector and other desig- tance and in conducting the the COVID-19 pandemic, nated socioeconomic counter- necessary assessments of including procurement of parts at the state, entity, Brčko the socioeconomic impacts of vital medical supplies and COVID-19 in Bosnia and Herze- equipment; District and cantonal level. govina. 2 Supporting authorities to The COVID-19 initiative served provide inclusive and to coordinate with partners Based on its previous expe- multi-sectoral crisis on the capacities, needs and rience in disaster emergency management and response requests for assistance stem- and recovery in Bosnia and to COVID-19; ming from the health institu- Herzegovina and in line with 3 Addressing the tions and the most vulnerable 14

communities, as well as for coronavirus tests, ventila- throughout the country. managing the funds for health tors, thermometers and other By December 2020, a total procurement provided by urgently needed medical of USD 18,856,888.283 was international and domestic equipment and supplies neces- entrusted to UNDP by interna- organizations. sary for treating persons tional and domestic partners infected with the coronavirus, for the purchase of urgently The Initiative managed the and for ensuring the conditions needed and requested medi- procurement of medical for the safe and uninterrupted cal supplies and equipment. supplies, such as personal operation of medical staff and protective equipment (PPE), other competent services

3 The value reflects funds transfered to UNDP between March and 31 December 2020, while the total sum of contracts signed with international and domestic partners during the mentioned period amounts to 19,038,469.44. 15

01 Supporting health systems to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, including procurement of vital medical supplies and equipment

Taking stock of urgent needs

The information and data hensive lists of priority equip- domestic and international about the quality, quantity ment and supplies. Further vendors. and relevance of the needs updates on the needs for was absolutely essential at medical supplies and equip- The complex governance the early stage of the COVID- ment coming from the relevant system in Bosnia and Herze- 19 response, because avail- health institutions in country govina represented an addi- able resources needed to be were often fragmented and tional challenge for crisis directed at procuring what was incomplete, and coordination management, manifested in most needed and for ensuring and verification of the infor- issues with horizontal and that it was delivered where mation was done by UNDP with vertical information manage- the need was greatest. The WHO’s expertise and input. A ment and information coor- 17 March 2020 letter from standardised registry of medi- dination, and in coordination the Presidency of Bosnia and cal equipment and material across various sectors. Herzegovina to the United specifications were used for Nations provided compre- fast screening of available 16

Procuring and delivering life- saving medical supplies in a context of disrupted supply chains

With medical procurement purchased, including a writ- proving especially sensitive ten statement by the benefi- FROM MARCH THROUGH DECEM- and with local conditions dete- ciary institution that the items BER 2020, MORE THAN 300 riorating and global supply conformed to the required COMPANIES WERE CONTACTED dwindling, special attention needs and standards as spec- AND/OR EXPRESSED THEIR was paid to ensuring that ified. The tendering conditions INTEREST IN PARTICIPATING IN the equipment and mate- stipulated that vendors must PROCUREMENT OF VITAL MEDI- rial being brought in were provide proof of both the suit- CAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT. fit for the intended purpose. ability and authenticity of the MORE THAN 70 PROCESSES As it became evident in joint equipment offered. (INCLUDING THE MODALITIES work with our partners, the Naturally, with unprece- INVITATION TO BID, REQUEST consultative and the inclu- dentedly high demand and FOR PROPOSAL, REQUEST FOR sive nature of cooperation at insufficient supply globally, QUOTATION) FOR MEDICAL every step of the way was a sourcing priority materials and PROCUREMENT RELATED TO crucial element to ensuring an equipment was a challenge. COVID-19 WERE LAUNCHED IN effective response to COVID- UNDP conducted an imme- 2020 AND 150 CONTRACTS/ 19. This was a lesson learned diate market analysis, which PURCHASE ORDERS WERE during the flood response and included a call to local compa- SIGNED. recovery effort in 2014. UNDP, nies engaged in, or equipped prior to tendering and based to produce personal protective on the procedures introduced equipment. Many tenders for for this purpose, ensured that essential items, such as venti- the required specifications lators, resulted in a situation were discussed and verified where none of the vendors by the end beneficiaries as were sufficiently qualified. well as crosschecked against At the same time, contracts the WHO equipment specifica- signed with reputable compa- tion registry. The final stage in nies were often cancelled after the process required end user repeated delays in the arrival acceptance of the item to be of goods. 17

The mitigation strategy applied The pandemic not only caused response rate of the end bene- by UNDP in these instances disruption to the produc- ficiary; the outcome and the was to enable sourcing via tion chains (supply side) and time invested was not under different channels, includ- increased demand, but also UNDP’s control, regardless of ing UNDP and United Nations had a major effect on the the effort invested. global procurement platforms, transport sector. Restrictions Response times by both inter- and to contract multiple suppli- imposed on commercial and national vendors and domes- ers in order to ensure that at especially passenger air traf- tic partners were frequently least some of the requested fic, along with the cancelation inadequate and the former items would arrive. This of almost three quarters of all were always on the lookout involved working with both flights worldwide meant that for a better deal as prices domestic and international air cargo was affected heav- skyrocketed on a daily basis sellers. ily both in terms of reliability and domestic partners strug- and availability and that prices gled with a cumbersome increased significantly. Thus, crisis management system in one case it took almost three that made coordination and PROCUREMENT AND INSTALLA- months for goods to arrive in communication difficult. TION OF 32 UNITS OF AEONMED the country with transport at All equipment items procured VG 70 VENTILATORS WAS PROB- an extremely high price (i.e. at are under global warranties ABLY THE MOST COMPLEX more than 25% of the value of and respecting required CE PROCUREMENT UNDP IN BOSNIA the goods). and ISSO standards, while AND HERZEGOVINA CONDUCTED The complex administrative appropriate installation skills WITHIN THE COVID-19 RESPONSE. procedures in Bosnia and and spare parts for the equip- VENTILATORS WERE IN HIGH- Herzegovina required that ment items procured locally EST DEMAND AT THE BEGINNING for each import authorisation have been ensured with local OF THE PANDEMIC. SINCE NO UNDP had to obtain several servicers, registered with the PROVIDERS WITHIN THE COUN- documents from 12 different State Agency for Drugs and TRY COULD DELIVER VENTILA- authorities. For instance, to Medical Supplies. During the TORS WITHIN A REASONABLE finalise two shipments, UNDP reporting period, UNDP has TIMEFRAME, UNDP BOSNIA AND had to obtain some 120 differ- regularly maintained contacts HERZEGOVINA, THROUGH UNDP ent documents for 24 import with the recipients of the CHINA, MANAGED TO PLACE AN authorisations. For some of equipment to keep track of ORDER AND SECURE VENTILA- UNDP’s partners, such as eventual issues and ensure TORS BASED ON A CORPORATE public health institutes, this appropriate action is taken. LONG-TERM AGREEMENT WITH was the first time that they A tracking system was put in AEONMED CO. LTD, BEJING, found themselves in the role place within UNDP to regularly CHINA. of importers and various chal- capture data and information A SPECIAL AIR CARGO HAD TO lenges impeded the process, on the needs and procurement BE USED TO TRANSPORT 32 including lack of capacity to processes. Detailed monitor- VENTILATORS FROM CHINA. deal with such a situation. ing platforms are developed to UPON COMPLETION OF COMPLEX For UNDP, this was an import- enable data tracking, financial IMPORT PROCEDURES, ALL ant lesson learned: under the control, and reporting in real VENTILATORS WERE SUCCESS- current circumstances in time. FULLY INSTALLED AT MORE THAN Bosnia and Herzegovina and 15 LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE with the current regulations, COUNTRY. UNDP’s response efficiency strongly depended on the 18

List and Map of delivery locations - vital medical equipment and supplies8

Banja Luka Bihać Brčko Distrikt Doboj Foča Goražde Gračanica Gradiška Nova Bila Orašje Istočno Sarajevo Pale Sarajevo Tuzla Modriča Tešanj Mostar Zenica

Over the period March - December 2020, in complex procurement circumstances, UNDP in cooperation with international and governmen- tal partners managed to purchase and deliver to health institutions and authorities a total 9,131,137 pieces of various medical goods, health protection and medical waste manage- ment supplies. UNDP reconstructed one health facility.

8 This report includes the medical supplies delivered by 31 December 2020. The schedule of delivery has not always fully coincided with the schedule of payments. 19

8,418,865 90,760 pieces of personal protective items for COVID-related equipment and disinfectants: medical waste management • 3,431,650 protective masks, • 3,830,260 various gloves, • 261,349 particulate respirators, • 19,010 protective suits, 49 • 131,350 protective single use gowns, • 26,970 face shields, other medical and related • other requested personal protective items and supplies: equipment. • 12 containers for triage, • 23 3D printers, • 2 fuel cards, • 1 medical waste shredding 33,241 machine, clinical management assets • 3 vertical autoclaves, and facilities, including more • 2 medical waste sterilizers, than 2,300 medical devices • 3 specialized vehicles for medical and equipment: waste transport, etc. • 83 ventilators for critical care, • 20 ECG machines, Working together with the Govern- • 48 monitors of vital functions, ment of Canton Sarajevo and the King- • 24 portable ultrasound scanners, dom of Norway Embassy to Bosnia and • 15 X-Ray machines, Herzegovina, UNDP has reconstructed • 5 haemodialysis machines, and refurbished a new medical ward • 2,003 pulse oximeters, designed to care for Covid-19 patients • 10 non-invasive ventilation masks, within the premises of the General Hospi- • 1 CT device, tal in Sarajevo. • other requested devices and facili- ties. In case of contributions by domestic partners, distribution of essential items was conducted as per their respective requests. The distribution of equipment 455,736 and supplies with funds from interna- testing material9 and tional partners is based on the Council 100 items of laboratory of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina equipment. Decision on the Principles of the Distri- bution of International Aid for Protection and Rescue as of 16 April 2020. Within the Federation of Bosnia and Herze- govina, the distribution of equipment 132,385 and supplies is based on the population items - medicines figures in the cantons.

9 Lab tests category includes: tests for COVID19 Detection, universal sterile transport medium for viruses, RNA extraction kits, and multiplex RT-PCR kit. 20

Procurement of medical supplies and equipment by contributing partner 21

The Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Bosnia and Herzegovina

The EU Delegation to Bosnia From this contribution in functions/invasive plus non-in- and Herzegovina provided the 2020, UNDP procured and vasive monitoring modalities, largest financial contribution delivered a total of 3,667,518 20 portable ultrasound scan- to the COVID-19 response medical items to 62 hospitals, ners, 10 X-ray machines, 6 PCR activities in 2020, managed health centres and other rele- machines, 2,000 pulse oxime- by UNDP, with a total of USD vant institutions throughout ters, etc.), 3,648,860 pieces of 8,213,555.14 (EUR 7 million) Bosnia and Herzegovina. This personal protective equipment, allocated for the procurement included 2,140 various medical 16,500 testing kits and 8 labo- of emergency medical equip- devices (70 ventilators for crit- ratory equipment, and 10 other ment and materials. ical care, 40 monitors of vital items. 22

The Kingdom of materials and equipment; tance to migrants and refu- Norway 192,369 items of personal gees residing in temporary protective equipment and reception facilities operated disinfectants, and 11 other (7 by the International Organiza- The Kingdom of Norway 3D printers, 2 containers for tion for Migration in Bosnia and entrusted to UNDP a total triage, 2 fuel cards), all distrib- Herzegovina. The assistance of USD 1,042,614.23 for the uted to 35 institutions through- was meant to secure emer- supply and delivery of 210,275 out Bosnia and Herzegovina. gency quantities of personal medical and other essential protective equipment for resi- items by 31 December 2020. With the amount USD 122,329 dents, as well as staff work- (BAM 198,110), The Kingdom ing to provide assistance to This included 13,432 clinical of Norway co-financed equip- migrants, and help curb the management items (includ- ping of the newly established spread of the virus within ing 2 ventilators for critical COVID-19 Isolation Ward of the the migrant community and care, 8 monitors of vital func- General Hospital ’Dr Abdullah beyond. With the agreement tions/invasive plus non-inva- Nakaš’ in Sarajevo, refur- signed in late November, UNDP sive monitoring modalities, 4 bished by UNDP. proceeded to procure and portable ultrasound scanners, In December 2020, UNDP distribute, through IOM, some 1 X-ray machines, 18 ECG was asked by the Norwe- 500,000 pieces of protective machines, 3 pulse oximeters, gian Embassy in Sarajevo to equipment across 11 migrant etc); 4,463 pieces of testing provide emergency assis- reception facilities. 23

Sweden

With financing provided by UNDP conducted an informa- of 16 3D printers and 3D scan- Sweden (USD 679,560.90) for tion campaign using hand- ners were purchased and medical waste management, outs, TV, digital and social delivered to mechanical engi- UNDP procured and distrib- media aimed at informing the neering faculties in Sarajevo, uted total 321,909 medical general population about how Zenica, Tuzla, and Faculty of and related items, including to deal with potentially infec- Natural Sciences in Banja 231,140 pieces of personal tious waste. The campaign Luka. protective equipment, 90,760 reached over 1.7 million items for COVID-19 related people in the 10 cities with the With the support of Sweden medical waste manage- highest number of registered (USD 82,000) through the ment and 9 specific devices COVID-19 cases (, ‘SDGs Roll-out Support and for COVID-19 related waste Bihać, Bijeljina, Brčko, Doboj, Private Sector Engagement’ management. Personal Mostar, Prijedor, Sarajevo, Project implemented by UNDP, protective equipment was Tuzla, Trebinje and Zenica). five SMEs were supported in provided to healthcare work- Rapid situation assessment adjusting their original busi- ers in 24 medical institutions of the state of play in terms of ness models and optimizing across the country, six waste operational health and safety businesses to the principles sterilisers were provided to measures was applied by 10 of sustainable development. the clinical centres in Mostar, waste utilities in management In the context of COVID-19 Banja Luka, Bijeljina and Tuzla and treatment of potentially response, the companies and special vehicles for the infectious household waste. re-focused the production transport of infectious waste Personal protective equip- lines to produce personal were delivered to the clinical ment was procured for work- protective equipment and centres in Banja Luka, Bijel- ers collecting household waste increase quantities of fresh jina and Sarajevo. In addition, in 10 target communities. food production. More impor- 268 health medical workers To enable production of tantly, the methodology used received training in the proper needed protective equipment has been tested and shared on handling and management of (face shields), a total of USD open online platform for other waste generated during the 199,325.00 was repurposed SMEs, as part of the engage- COVID-19 pandemic. within the Green Economic ment package to implementa- Development Project. A total tion of Agenda 2030. 24

The Government The Government of tion of medical staff and other of Switzerland/ Austria/Austrian competent services in Sara- Swiss Development Development jevo Canton. Cooperation Agency In 2020, from this contribu- tion, UNDP delivered a total The financial contribution of With USD 63,818 provided of 3,597,771 medical items, the Government of Switzer- by the Austrian Development including 414 clinical manage- land worth USD 200,000.00 Agency (ADA) through the ment facilities and devices (7 enabled the procurement and Project ‘Emergency Facil- ventilators), 184,864 tests and delivery of 2 ventilators for ity Response to COVID-19 in testing material, 3,290,345 critical care, 1 X-ray machine the Western Balkan Region’, pieces of personal protec- and 26,000 pieces of personal UNDP in Bosnia and Herze- tive equipment and 122,150 protective equipment, to health govina procured a real-time medicaments, that were institutions and authorities in PCR machine, 1,300 RT PCR distributed to 16 health and Bosnia and Herzegovina. tests and 1,500 swabs for the other relevant institutions in Cantonal Hospital in Bihać. Canton Sarajevo. The balance UNDP Through this support, a train- of funds remains to be imple- ing was facilitated for the mented for further response laboratory staff of the Bihać actions in 2021. UNDP in 2020 participated with Cantonal Hospital. and disbursed USD 135,324 Canton Sarajevo of core funds to support the Novartis Pharma supply of urgently needed Services Inc. medical goods and health Canton Sarajevo entrusted protection materials. USD 282,167.04 to UNDP for UNDP procured and delivered Novartis supported the supply procurement and delivery to health and other institu- of two ventilators for critical of medical equipment and tions a total of 18,753 medical care in the amount of USD supplies. UNDP purchased and items of various types in 2020, 84,650.1110 delivered (to 11 institutions) including 200 medical devices a total of 215,477 medical and equipment, 3 desktop The Institute for items, including 2,026 clinical computers, 5,000 lab tests Health Insurance of management items (thermom- and other testing materials eters, etc.) and 213,450 pieces and 13,550 pieces of personal of personal protective equip- protective equipment. ment and disinfectants. The Institute of Health Insur- UNDP supported the recon- ance of Sarajevo Canton Canton Sarajevo provided struction of the Microbiologi- directed to UNDP funds in the USD 635,998.22 (BAM cal laboratory in the University amount of USD 4,659,738.75 1,041,765.08) for the rehabil- Clinical Centre in Mostar, as to manage procurement and itation of the Isolation Ward of well as the Isolation Ward of delivery of essential medi- the general hospital ‘Dr Abdu- the General Hospital ‘Dr Abdu- cal equipment and supplies, lah Nakaš’ in Sarajevo. UNDP lah Nakaš’ in Sarajevo with the necessary for testing and implemented the works with support of Sarajevo Canton providing the conditions for the additional funding from the and the Kingdom of Norway. safe and uninterrupted opera- Kingdom of Norway.

10 Since the report covers the deliveries by 31 December 2020 it does not include 22 non-contact infrared thermometers (NCIT) also purchased by Novartis. 25

Central Bosnia Canton The City of Doboj Herzegovina- and the Institute of Neretva Canton Public Health of the The City of Doboj allocated to UNDP USD 27,655.41, which The Herzegovina-Neretva allowed purchase and delivery Canton allocated USD The Central Bosnia Canton of 30,550 pieces of personal 18,760.71 for emergency entrusted UNDP with USD protective items and 2,500 lab support to health institutions 289,351.85 for medical protec- materials. in the Canton. With these tive equipment, equipment for funds, in 2020, UNDP procured testing and medical devices Zenica-Doboj and delivered 40,000 pieces in this canton. The amount of Canton of personal protective equip- USD 61,050.06 contributed by ment. the Public Health Institute of the Central Bosnia Canton is The Zenica-Doboj Canton allo- West-Herzegovina yet to be implemented. cated a total amount of USD Canton With these funds, UNDP 1,380,998.04, allowing the supplied 125,522 medical purchase of 492,878 medical items, including 15,000 clinical items that included 2 medical The West-Herzegovina Canton management items, 1 X-Ray devices, 37,486 tests and test- entrusted USD 20,419.51 to machine, 15,086 pieces of ing materials, 455,390 items UNDP for emergency support testing materials and labora- of personal protective equip- to health institutions in the tory equipment, 85,200 pieces ment, all of which were distrib- Canton. A total of 35,300 items of personal protective equip- uted to relevant institutions in of personal protection equip- ment and 10,235 medicines, the canton. ment were delivered to the all of which was distributed to cantonal health institutions in the relevant institutions of the Posavina Canton 2020. Central Bosnia Canton. The detailed overview of The Public Health Posavina Canton allocated purchased and delivered Institute of USD 243,352.79 for COVID– medical supplies and equip- Republika Srpska 19 emergency support to the ment is available in the Annex health system, to be imple- of the Report. mented by UNDP. In 2020, USD The Public Health Institute 181,163.74 were transferred of Republika Srpska signed to UNDP for the purchase of a financial agreement worth total of 162,734 medical items, USD 2,535,354 with UNDP to including 23 medical devices, support the RS health system’s 6,000 lab tests, 156,711 items response to COVID-19. In 2020, of personal protective materi- UNDP procured and delivered als, all of which were distrib- a total of 181,128 units of uted to the relevant health testing and laboratory mate- institutions in the canton. rials worth USD 1,377,785.85. Procurement and delivery of the medical supplies will continue in 2021. 26

02 Multi-sector crisis management and response to COVID-19

From the onset of the pandemic relation to medical equipment These efforts were stream- in Bosnia and Herzegov- and supplies across various lined through an online tool11 ina, UNDP has supported the levels of government, gathered accessible to United Nations COVID-19 crisis management information on financing and agencies and donors that and the response coordination donations from multiple stake- enabled up-to-date infor- in partnership and collabora- holders (bilateral and multi- mation on contributions and tion with other United Nations lateral donors, government needs regarding medical agencies, domestic author- institutions, non-government equipment and supplies. ities, the public and private organisations, private entities, sector, international organisa- etc.) and contributed to match- In cooperation with the Minis- tions and other socioeconomic ing these resources with prior- try of Security of Bosnia and stakeholders. ity needs. Herzegovina, UNDP conducted

More specifically, UNDP offered support for more effective vertical and horizon- tal disaster response coordi- nation throughout the country and in particular - to the Coor- dination Body of Bosnia and Herzegovina for Protection and Rescue and to the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herze- govina. In cooperation with the relevant government stake- holders, UNDP offered commu- nication support and assisted coordination among various governmental and non-govern- mental organisations.

UNDP deployed tools that helped whole-of-system data collection and management as well as in sharing information on the crisis with the public, collected data and informa- tion on the priority needs in

11 https://undp.sharepoint.com/sites/UNBiH/DC 27

a rapid assessment of the established in cooperation Capitalising on the ongoing impact that the COVID-19 with the Ministry of Security ‘Digital Platform in Canton pandemic had on the Civil of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo Project’ that aims to Protection structures in the the Ministry of Civil Affairs of set in place the digital infra- country. The assessment Bosnia and Herzegovina and structure and capacities that provided an overview of the the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will enable the collection of human security and policing of Bosnia and Herzegovina fragmented data from minis- sectors in the country and the with the technical and finan- tries and public bodies and national and regional chal- cial support of the UNDP. The allow for modern data analyt- lenges and vulnerabilities as website was structured to ics as an information platform well as a general analysis of the provide an interactive over- (including geo-spatial visu- security threats and propos- view of the number of persons alisation of the data), UNDP als for prospective interven- infected with COVID-19 and supported the setting in func- tions in this field. The analysis the numbers of those tested, tion of the public dashboard mapped several priorities and recovered and deceased which monitors the COVID-19 provided recommendations for persons. It also provides infor- situation in Canton Sarajevo. policy and operational support mation on border crossings, At present, UNDP supports the to the authorities in Bosnia and travel instructions, decisions Ministry of Interior of Canton Herzegovina. made at all levels of govern- Sarajevo in its efforts to intro- ment and current events duce a specialised digital solu- The COVID-19 website was related to COVID-19. tion that will enable vital new 28

order to involve the general public in solving a wide range of problems caused by the pandemic. This first national digital ideathon generated 109 innovative ideas across different areas (health, vulner- able community members, the economy, digital and public services, etc.). The 6 winners were announced in May and some of the best ideas have been already developed and set to life - such as D-App (mental health application). The application was launched at the beginning of December and by 31 December 2020 had 1,500 active users with over functions and data sharing is in the process of develop- 250 realised requests for and provide the Ministry with ment and will be fully oper- consultation between users access to real-time data from ational in April 2021. UNDP and mental health experts the cantonal health authorities, also supported the Ministry through the platform/applica- the cantonal inspection and the of Health of the Federation tion. cantonal civil protection. This of Bosnia and Herzegovina new system is in the final stage in procuring a new telecom- The response to the COVID- of testing and will be launched munication system that will 19 pandemic has proven once in February 2021. enable uninterrupted coordi- more that coordination and nation and modern commu- information management, UNDP supports the Govern- nication among the entity and despite being identified as the ment of the Federation of cantonal health institutions in weakest point through previ- Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Federation of Bosnia and ous disasters, continue to be designing and setting in func- Herzegovina. The new tele- the main obstacle to effec- tion an information system communication system is at tive management of disaster on the sessions and work of the installation stage and will risks. The complex structure the Government (e-Cabinet be operational in February of governance and weak coor- Office) in connection with the 2021. dination hampered overall public citizens’ portal and the support to coordination and information system of the Through its Accelerator Lab, therefore it is evident that Parliament of the Federa- UNDP Bosnia and Herzegovina further support in building tion of Bosnia and Herzegov- together with Bit Alliance, an these capacities is of crucial ina. The system will enable association of IT companies in importance. the uninterrupted work of the country, with the support and decision-making by the of 27 additional partners from Government even in crisis situ- the public, private and civil ations (such as the COVID-19 sectors, organised the online pandemic). The new system ideathon covIDEJA2020 in 29

03 Addressing the socioeconomic impact of COVID-19

Successful country responses economy and to safeguard and UNDP prepared the Economic not only require effective accelerate achievement of the Impact Assessment of COVID- medical interventions but SDGs in post pandemic period. 19 in Bosnia and Herzegovina also inclusive and strength- that presented an overview ened institutions across all UNDP has been designated as of the current state of the sectors. This makes it possi- technical lead for socioeco- economy in Bosnia and Herze- ble to respond in a coordi- nomic recovery in the Global govina. The emphasis was nated manner and build the UN Framework for immediate on assessing the economic resilience of the economies response and recovery from situation of vulnerable social and the provision of essential COVID19. In this capacity, groups and the consequences public services to the people UNDP supported the UN Resi- of the COVID-19 pandemic for with longer-term benefits for dent Coordinator to prepare industry. In September 2020, the health sectors and econ- the United Nations COVID-19 UNDP Bosnia and Herzegov- omies. Through the Emer- Socioeconomic Response and ina finished the comprehen- gency Response to COVID-19 Recovery Offer. In May 2020, sive assessment mapped in intervention and other ongo- ing projects, UNDP engaged in impact assessments of prior- ity areas with focus on the economy, the private sector, the social protection and the labour market. It supported business continuity planning and the development of the workforce within the context of the pandemic. It assisted the governments in address- ing urgent needs and gaps in the economy and worked on solutions and innovative approaches for reinventing business models for sustain- able and green production and 30

the United Nations Bosnia a first household survey on Herzegovina as an open data and Herzegovina Socioeco- Social Impacts of COVID-19, dashboard to show trends and nomic Impact Assessment of presented in October 2020, insights related to the impact the COVID-19 crisis in Bosnia in order to provide compre- of COVID-19 on the private and Herzegovina that aimed hensive evidence of how the sector in the country during to inform the dialogue with crisis has affected the lives the crisis. UNDP supported the authorities of Bosnia and of people and to help inform the private sector in adjust- Herzegovina on response and future response. A second ing capacities for production recovery measures and to survey was run in December of protective equipment and provide medium and longer- 2020, with results expected in other priority goods neces- term policy recommendations February 2021. sary to address the COVID-19 as well as to help mobilise the crisis. resources required for recov- Furthermore, with the support ery. of the UNDP global Rapid Based on the assessments’ Response Facility, the UNDP findings, UNDP adjusted UNICEF and UNDP in Bosnia Accelerator Lab developed the its ongoing projects and and Herzegovina supported Economic Pulse of Bosnia and initiatives to mitigate the 31

negative impacts of the farmers (204 women) received is implemented by GIZ, ILO and COVID-19 pandemic. To that technical and financial support UNDP, amounts to EUR 13.7 extent, actions planned within to alleviate the negative million where the financing the European Union funded effects of COVID-19 on their managed by UNDP amounts to EU4AGRI and EU4Business businesses. The total amount EUR 3.75 million. projects were redesigned to of the investment was around mitigate the immediate impact EUR 2.8 million, of which EUR The European Union provided of the COVID-19 on the econ- 1.9 million was invested by the support (EUR 158.000) to omy. As a result, the moderni- EU4AGRI and EU4Business marginalised groups by engag- sation of the agriculture and projects while the rest was ing civil society through the food sector was supported, co-financed by farmers. Regional Programme on Local and UNDP contributed through Democracy in the Western investments in innovative solu- In December 2020, the Euro- Balkans (ReLOaD). ReLOaD tions and technology to the pean Union approved two new engaged 21 grassroots civil improvement of the rural econ- contributions (EU4AGRI-Re- society organisations (CSOs) omy. In May 2020, a support covery and EU4BusinessRe- in the design of fast track scheme was launched aimed covery) that specifically target COVID-19 projects in 21 local at assisting market integra- the agriculture and food sector communities in Bosnia and tors and small-scale farmers in order to alleviate the nega- Herzegovina. The aim was to in re-establishing commercial tive effects of the COVID–19 support the needs of marginal- linkages, stabilising the supply pandemic. EU4AGRI-Recovery, ised citizens affected directly networks and reopening the implemented by UNDP and the or indirectly by COVID-19. existing access to the market. Czech Development Agency, The projects were based on A total of 29 projects were amounts to EUR 5 million, while the specific needs in local selected and 1,199 small-scale EU4BusinessRecovery, which communities: psychological support, livelihood projects (agriculture and greenhouse production), physical activi- ties and support to the elderly, supply of PPE (mostly sani- tation and cleaning solutions or disinfectants). The 21 CSO projects reached a total of 12,655 people (3,589 men, 4,225 women, 2,354 boys and 2,487 girls), including 5,081 socially excluded (among others, people with internal actual and physical disabili- ties, families living under the poverty line and Roma).

Through the UNDP Rapid Response Facility, UNDP supported five companies to pilot innovative business models in relation to the green 32

and circular economy. The pilot biological waste compost- • approximately 60 per cent run from August to October ing in Agri production’, of energy will be saved in 2020 and provided support • Empress from Zenica the production processes, to five companies selected with their proposal ‘Circu- • up to USD 30,000 will through a public call to test lar solutions for greener be saved in the next 12 circular economy approaches business practices in the months through waste and assess the correspond- textile industry’ and disposal bills alone, ing level of disruption to their • Energo Max Oil from • almost 300,000 litres of existing business models. Gradačac with their water will be purified and The companies also devel- proposal ‘Plastic bottle returned clean to the envi- oped road maps to guide their recycling at gas stations’. ronment annually. efforts aimed at achieving the transition to circular economy. All selected companies come The UNDP Accelerator Lab from industries affected by the has also designed the Busi- The circular economy forerun- COVID-19 related economic ness Digital Performance ners are: downturn in Bosnia and Herze- Self-Assessment Tool, in • Biona&Beyond from Sara- govina. partnership with the Cham- jevo with their proposal ber of Commerce of Luxem- ‘Zero Waste Food Produc- This rapid exercise yielded bourg. This tool enables a tion’, important results: comprehensive analysis of • Milinković from Banja • more than 80 tonnes of any company’s digitalisation Luka with their proposal organic waste will be aptitude in six different areas. ‘Processing of secondary turned into a new product All of these achievements are raw materials from the in the next 12 months, informing the next generation wood industry’, • more than 20 tonnes of programmes in the areas of • Šumska tajna from Ribnik of plastic waste will be digital economy and e-govern- with their proposal ‘Waste- reused or recycled over ment. water treatment and the next year, 33

In consultation with the supported the canton Govern- companies in Bihać bene- domestic authorities and ment in designing the Law fited from job security and job international partners/donors, on Mitigation of the Negative protection. wherever possible, UNDP Economic Consequences of The economic grant schemes repurposed available and COVID-19 and Savings. implemented in response unspent funds and mobilised to the COVID-19 pandemic additional resources within With the support of the supported 65 companies in the ongoing project portfolio in Government of Switzerland Doboj, Gradačac and Bihać order to expedite the response and through the Municipal and helped create 15 new jobs to COVID-19. Economic and Environmental as of October 2020. The eCiti- Governance Project (MEG), the zen web platform and a mobile With the support of the King- City of Bihać and UNDP devel- application were implemented dom of Norway (BAM 19,900) oped a voucher grant scheme in 17 partner local govern- and through the Economic for tourism amounting to a ments in order to increase Governance of Growth Proj- joint total of BAM 195,500 to citizen communication and ect, UNDP secured expert support the tourism indus- participation in local policy support to define the scope try and hospitality service decision-making processes. and help design the Sara- providers. This arrangement UNDP supported the devel- jevo Canton Credit Guarantee benefitted 1,036 citizens (47% opment of the ‘Get to Know Fund as one of the measures women) and the voucher grant Gradiška’ application in order stemming from the Territorial scheme for tourism ensured to promote the potential for Employment Pact. UNDP also that 278 employees from 26 tourism in the City of Gradiška 34

project commenced procure- ment and delivery of medical and other urgently required goods and supplies: • More than 53,150 protec- tive masks, 200,000 protective gloves, around 7,000 disposable protec- tive suits and several other forms of protective equipment and disinfec- tants were delivered to six local governments cover- ing more than 84,219 citizens. • A total of 580 disinfection and hygiene packages designed to meet the needs of local communi- ties, community centres and other public institu- tions were provided to and to mitigate the detrimen- through the project ‘Strength- fifteen local governments. tal impact that COVID-19 had ening the Role of Local Commu- • A total of 97 sets of IT on the tourism sector. The nities/MZ’, UNDP implemented equipment were provided ‘Tourist Academy’ e-learning the intervention ‘COVID-19 to nine local governments platform was established in Response to Community in order to strengthen order to train tour guides and Needs’. The total budget of the their capacity to provide employees within the tour- project was USD 364,077.67, better services to more ism sector. The support of the while the financial contribu- than 156,600 citizens. Government of Switzerland to tion of 6 local governments • Three local government addressing the socioeconomic amounted to a total of USD spaces were equipped to impact of COVID-19 in partner 46,473.62 (Ilijaš 28,199.24, act as possible isolation local governments amounted 4,586.58, Gračanica wards for approximately to BAM 582,446. 3,825.52, Gradiška 4,434.67, 2,400 inhabitants. Sanski Most 3,628.28 and • Medical equipment With the support of the Govern- Tešanj 1,799.34). (biochemical analyser, ment of Italy (USD 10,000), the During May 2020, the project autoclave, reagents, ‘Relax in Bosnia and Herze- conducted three surveys in oxygen bottles, transcu- govina’ initiative was created order to examine the impact taneous bilirubin meters, and subsequently placed 15 of the coronavirus pandemic pulse oximeters, ther- integrated ‘Via Dinarica’ tour- and to assess the urgent needs mometers and syringe ism packages on the market, of all partner local govern- pumps) was delivered involving 11 tourism service ments (24), local communities/ to hospitals and health providers as beneficiaries. MZs (136) and CSOs (54). In centres in eight local response to the priority needs self-governments with With the support Sweden and of the communities/MZs, the over 95,888 inhabitants 35 36

over 95,888 inhabitants projects: impact assessment in potentially benefitting • With the support of relation to protected areas from this intervention. Sweden (USD 82,000) of biodiversity in Bosnia • Two health centres in two through the ‘SDGs Roll- and Herzegovina. local self-government out Support and Private • A rapid COVID-19 impact units were provided with 1 Sector Engagement’ Proj- assessment was under- ambulance and 1 off-road ect implemented by UNDP, taken in the area of vehicle. five SMEs were supported low-carbon urban develop- • The municipalities of in adjusting their origi- ment. Laktaši and Gradiška nal business models and • The Diaspora for Develop- upgraded the existing GIS optimizing businesses to ment Project assessed the system enabling the digi- the principles of sustain- impact of COVID-19 on the talisation of processes for able development. In diaspora, emigrants and the municipal administra- the context of COVID-19 their contribution to the tion and improved services response, the companies development of Bosnia and to citizens. As part of the re-focused the production Herzegovina. COVID-19 assistance, the lines to produce personal • The Strengthening the Municipality of Ključ was protective equipment Role of Local communities able to install the program and increase quantities in Bosnia and Herzegov- DOCUNOVA 3.0 in all of of fresh food production. ina Project conducted a its municipal offices and More importantly, the Rapid Response Assess- in that way enable more methodology used has ment of community needs efficient and better quality been tested and shared at the grass-roots level, services to its citizens. on open online platform with focus on the socially • With the support of for other SMEs, as part excluded groups. Sweden and through of the engagement pack- the Women in Elections age to implementation Building on the lessons learned Project, UNDP facilitated of Agenda 2030. The since March 2020, the next events on female leader- Regional Programme on phase of the UNDP COVID-19 ship and thematic meet- Local Democracy in the crisis response will build on ings on the localisation of Western Balkans (ReLOaD) UNDP’s role of technical lead gender action plans in light conducted a rapid needs for socioeconomic recov- of the priorities related to assessment to collect data ery within the United Nations the COVID-19 pandemic related to the situation in global framework and will and enabled CSOs to the 53 local governments focus on four specific areas support communities in WB6 (Albania, Bosnia of UNDP support. The design through the affirmation of and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, of the future UNDP response female leadership during Montenegro, North Mace- will help decision makers look the pandemic. donia and Serbia). beyond recovery and toward • In order to rapidly gain • The Municipal Economic 2030, helping them to make an accurate insight into and Environmental Gover- choices and manage the the actual needs and nance Project conducted a complex and uncertain envi- priorities and to prepare gender analysis of COVID- ronment in four main areas: an informed response, 19 situation in four partner governance, social protection, UNDP conducted a series local governments. the green economy, and digital of rapid thematic assess- • The Biodiversity Project disruption. ments through different conducted a COVID-19

* All references to Kosovo should be understood in full compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999) 37

Lessons learned

The complex health system that operates through 13 different sub-systems at the entity, cantonal and Brčko District level has made consolidation of the country- wide needs a slow process and affected the speed of procurement and delivery of much-needed medical items and supplies. This had a negative effect on service provision and resulted in increased administrative and coordination costs.

The procurement capacities tiers of government and other ers in the country have been of the health institutions need structures. Future support stretched to the limit since further strengthening and the to the civil protection insti- the onset of the pandemic and data systems require moderni- tutions is necessary if they this had a negative impact on sation in order to enable are to become more resilient local procurement and supply reliable real-time health infor- to shocks, including public chain management, includ- mation management. Signifi- health crises. Their informa- ing within the health sector. cantly, the fragmentation of tion systems and tools need to Disturbance to the supply the crisis management and be digitalized and modernised chains and greatly increased procurement systems has to enable faster and more global demand for medical led to competition rather than effective coordination among supplies largely exceeding cooperation between various stakeholders and outreach to existing supply, has resulted jurisdictions, inflating local the people. Effective coordi- in increased prices for medical prices as prospective vendors nation and collaboration of the and other equipment as well as knew that they could pit one Civil Protection Administration unreliable offers. The equip- buyer against another. with administrations in vari- ment and supplies necessary ous sectors is necessary for for identifying and treating Despite its’ identification strong management of differ- persons infected with COVID- through previous disasters ent type of crises and multiple 19 were hard to obtain in the as the weakest point, crisis disasters hitting at the same first months of the crisis, while coordination and informa- time. the immediate public health tion management continue to response in Bosnia and Herze- constitute the main obstacle Procurement and other govina to COVID-19 has strug- to effective management of capacities of the public gled with quick repurposing disaster risks. This indicates health system: The capaci- medical facilities and mobiliza- the need for much stronger ties of the health, civil protec- tion and mobility of profession- multi-sector cooperation and tion, social protection and als within and across health integration across different other sectors and stakehold- facilities. Procurement plan- 38

ning tends to be an issue in the contracts, new suppliers that shortest possible time, but health sector even outside of are unfamiliar with the United sometimes suppliers cancel an emergency setting and the Nations and the increased risk orders because of their short pandemic merely exacerbated of fraud. validity. UNDP processes take existing problems. time. Solicitation, evaluation The current COVID-19-related and approval processes take UNDP specific procurement order pipeline was frequently time and given the current considerations: UNDP oper- incapable of meeting demand market conditions that are ated in a supply-driven market in Bosnia and Herzegovina. constantly changing, some- that was unable to meet Everyone was experiencing a times goods are no longer demand because of export significant gap between the available at the end of the procurement process. Under the circumstances and with the regulations in place in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the UNDP response rate was fully dependent on the response rate of the end beneficiary. The procurement process is lengthy and labour intensive and in the end the outcome does not depend on UNDP regardless of the amount of effort that UNDP may invest.

More responsibility should be placed on domestic institu- tions for critical decisions such as the need to include procure- ment and detailed needs iden- restrictions placed on key forecasted demand, product tification within the process. manufacturing hubs and of the procurement and expected UNDP is small in comparison impact that flight restrictions deliveries (e.g., ventilators). to governments. In the global had on the movement of cargo. New suppliers required marketplace for COVID-19 The market environment was due diligence and technical medical supplies and equip- experiencing significant price reviews of new products. A ment, UNDP is a small actor increases, extremely short consequence of the market purchasing small quantities offer validity (as low as 24 to situation was the corporate and this fact caused suppli- 48 hours), vendors cancel- requirement that all supply ers at the peak of the crisis to ling their offers, requests for chain actors apply due dili- relegate UNDP to the end of advance payment (to secure gence and that the relevant the priority list. UNDP does not production capacity and raw competent authorities verify have the advantage of high- materials) amounting to at any suspicions or doubts in level political pressure that least 50% of the cost and this regard. governments can exert. At the sometimes even advance same time, local suppliers had payment in full, suppliers fail- Corporately, UNDP under- limited incentives and capaci- ing to deliver despite signed takes quality assurance in the ties, were underequipped and 39

faced unprecedented demand and keeping data and iii) eration with the World Health for their goods. As a result, ensuring the sustainability of Organisation, UNDP utilised the incentive to bid on UNDP results and taking over from the extraordinary experience tenders was limited to some UNDP once the initial crisis it gained when playing a simi- extent, because supplies could response phase closes. In lar role during the devastat- sell directly to governments or 2021, this would entail hand- ing floods of 2014 to support other relevant institutions in ing over all data and records the authorities in Bosnia and the region. collected through UNDP work Herzegovina in ensuring effec- and providing a set of guide- tive and multi-sectorial crisis Increased cost of air cargo: lines on how to collect and act coordination. With its strong In 2020, at the peak of the on the expressed material field presence in more than crisis, there has been a signif- needs in a proactive and timely 80 per cent of local govern- icant increase in the price of manner. ments and all ten cantons, air cargo, sometimes up 3 UNDP supported the COVID- to 5 times. This has further The COVID-19 crisis has accel- 19 response by facilitating increased the price of the erated the digital transfor- interaction and coordination necessary goods since road mation in both the public and among the various levels of and sea transportation was private sectors as well as in government (including civil either unavailable or too slow. society as a whole. Further protection and rescue units, EU Restrictions: Procuring investment in technology and health system representa- PPE from the EU was virtually capacities is required if we are tives, law enforcement agen- impossible for a period of time, to capitalise on the momen- cies and economic, social and because of the restrictions tum created by the crisis. environmental institutions), placed on exports. This limited The crisis presents a unique the private sector, civil soci- the options in the procurement opportunity to build forward ety, communities, academia process, especially given the better and greener. The crisis and the international commu- close links between Bosnia has underlined the importance nity. Traditional as well as and Herzegovina and the EU of proactive investment aimed new international and domes- market. at building resilient and inclu- tic partners recognised the sive systems that can respond capabilities UNDP applied Issues with customs and quickly and effectively to to support the governments tax clearance in Bosnia and shocks, with stronger focus on and the coordination efforts Herzegovina: The differ- innovation, digital solutions, during the crisis caused by the ent government institutions social protection systems, pandemic. The added value of issued unclear and some- gender equality and green and UNDP’s platform way of work- times conflicting instructions sustainable economic recov- ing lies in the application of a on customs and tax clearance ery. systemic approach and the on COVID-19 related goods. facilitation and transfer of Systemic solutions for Bosnia UNDP offered a platform knowledge and tested solu- and Herzegovina should aim approach, connecting stake- tions from around the world to ensure better ownership holders, finding solutions by customising them to the of processes and activities and customising them to the specific country context and by partner institutions. This country context in order to thereby avoiding single-point should include i) facilitating accelerate the response to solutions. communication with the rele- the crisis. Working as part vant authorities and institu- of the United Nations Coun- tions, ii) maintaining records try Team and in direct coop- 41

ANNEX 1 Procurement- institutional arrangements, rules and procedures 42

In line with the Procure- for medical supplies and other interest of UNDP, ment Strategy and the UNDP related services. procurement staff may buy Programme and Operations goods or services through Policies and Procedures on The following procurement Direct Contracting. Procurement, the procure- modalities have been used: ment in UNDP applies for all Procurement procedures are aspects of development work 1 Micro-Purchasing modality designed and implemented . In its development efforts, is used if the value of the according to the principles of UNDP globally is abiding to goods, services or simple the best value for money, fair- high transparency standards works to be procured is ness, integrity, competitive- and adopts more sustainable below USD 5,000.4 ness, and transparency. production and consumption 2 Request for Quotation practices. (RFQ) is an formal The names of selected bidders invitation to submit a and the values of the contracts To expedite the response to quotation, used for goods/ related to the COVID-19 COVID-19 and save lives, UNDP services/civil works valued procurement in 2020 in Bosnia adopted corporate COVID- between USD 5,000 and and Herzegovina, including 19 Special Procurement USD 149,999.5 direct contracts, are publicly Measures that allowed for 3 An Invitation to Bid (ITB) is available at UNDP Transpar- some flexibility to fast-track a formal invitation to ency Portal (https://open. urgent actions, including deliv- submit a bid, usually undp.org/projects/00126570). ery time as one of the criteria, associated with thus ensuring that procure- requirements that are In line with the corporate ment tenders for some of the clearly and concisely Programme and Operations medical supplies and goods of defined, with an estimated Policies and Procedures on high exigency were conducted procurement value of USD Procurement, UNDP in Bosnia in the shortest possible time. 150,000 or more.6 and Herzegovina defined its As per standard procedures, 4 A Request for Proposal internal Procurement and UNDP in Bosnia and Herze- (RFP) is a formal request to Delivery Standard Operat- govina has relied on a range submit a proposal usually ing Procedures for COVID-19 of procurement modalities, associated with Pandemic Response, further depending on the type of requirements for services, detailing protocols for needs services and goods required, which cannot be clearly or identification, procurement their respective value, and the concisely defined, with an and delivery of COVID-19 request’s exigency. 76 vari- estimated procurement related supplies, approval of ous procurement processes value of USD 150,000 or specifications, imports, inter- were implemented, resulting more.7 nal controls related to delivery, in 150 procurements signed 5 Exceptionally and when it epidemiological protection and 50 companies contracted is deemed in the best of field staff and visibility

4 Micro-purchasing can normally be done in 1 or 2 days. Award is made to the lowest price available. 5 Depending on the complexity of the requirement, vendors will be given 3 to 10 business days to respond to an RFQ. Prices, and other commercial terms and conditions are requested and award is made to the lowest priced technically acceptable offer. 6 Where all qualification requirements and technical criteria are met, an award is made to the lowest bidder. Vendors will normally be given 10-15 business days or more to respond, depending on the complexity of the requirement. 7 Price is only one of several factors comprising the evaluation criteria. Award is made to the qualified bidder whose bid substantially conforms to the requirement set forth on the solicitation documents and is evaluated to be the lowest cost to UNDP or to the highest rated proposal using the combined scoring method, which assigns a weight distribution between technical and financial proposals set out in RFP. Vendors are normally given 10-15 business days or more to respond to an RFP. In some cases, vendors may be required to pre-qualify. Exceptionally and when it is deemed in the best interest of UNDP, procurement staff may buy goods or services through Direct Contracting. 43

requirements. Needs identifi- Unit (GPU) based in Copenha- conducted in line with cation was based on requests gen, Denmark, which provides accepted professional received from governments at a strategic risk management purchasing practices and state, entity, cantonal and local approach to the procure- appropriate rules and levels. ment of complex goods and regulations, UNDP requires services. When purchase value an independent review of 1 Technical specification exceeds USD 250,000 techni- the procurement process cal specification of goods had prior to a contract award. Technical specification for to be approved by UNDP Head- The review confirms that the requisition of goods was quarters. offers received provided by end beneficiaries are the result of a fully (healthcare institutions, crisis 2 Procurement compliant process, management structures) and sufficient funding exists, reviewed against WHO stan- - Sourcing of bids is done and risks have been dards to confirm adherence. following the standard UNDP assessed and mitigated. Alternatively, technical spec- Procurement Procedures. Depending on the value and ification was prepared based - Evaluation of offers is done complexity of the purchase on WHO Specification Instruc- according to the criteria set order, the procurement tion and then confirmed with in the published solicitation review in UNDP is medical expertise of end documents (RfQs, ITBs and undertaken at three beneficiaries. For example, RfPs); In the extremely different levels. For the a procurement focal point in complex and changing purchase value exceeding Canton Sarajevo was the chair market (experiencing USD 50,000 the of the Cantonal Crisis Manage- restrictions, high demand, procurement review is ment Team who sought medi- changing prices, undertaken by the cal expertise from relevant changing availability), the Contract Appraisal Panel of medical experts employed in value for money was sought the Country Office in Bosnia hospitals of the Canton Sara- through analysis based on and Herzegovina. For the jevo. As a general rule, tech- ex-stock prices, seeking purchase value exceeding nical documentation specified goods which were available USD 500,000, the all relevant details of goods immediately from a procurement review is (such as physical attributes, supplier’s stock-holding and undertaken by the Regional materials), selection criteria therefore with little or no Advisory Committee on and other standards defined by lead time (other than Procurement and for the the UNDP Procurement Proce- delivery) from their home purchase value exceeding dures. In some cases, in prepa- countries (majority in China) USD 2 million, the ration of goods specification, requiring additionally procurement review is medical expertise was sought freight, insurance, export/ undertaken by the Advisory from an independent medical import clearance, etc. and Committee on Procurement expert engaged only for that through comparison with of the UNDP Head Quarters purpose, who was not part of the ones that are available in New York. a tendering process, procure- locally through authorized - In case there is a ment or engaged in a benefi- representatives / dealers of discrepancy between ciary institution. When needed, requested products. available and requested an additional expertise and - Procurement oversight and goods, this is communicated support was also sought from review. To ensure back to and agreed with the the UNDP Global Procurement procurement activities are beneficiary and WHO before 44

continuing the procurement beneficiaries, a statement and abide by the relevant exercise. from UNDP to supplier, government epide - UNDP prepares a letter to listing all beneficiaries and miological measures. beneficiary requesting quantities, is prepared. confirmation of acceptance Anyone, including UNDP staff, for the sourced goods. 4 Delivery of goods to contractors, partners and the - In line with its procurement beneficiaries general public, can submit rules, UNDP notifies allegations of misconduct unsuccess ful bidders on - Delivery of goods was directly to UNDP’s Independent the outcome of a carried out either by Office of Audit and Investiga- procurement action only if suppliers, carriers tion, available at https://www. their offers were technicall (authorized transport undp.org/content/undp/en/ compliant (but they were company) or UNDP. For all home/accountability/audit/ underbid). Other companies non-expendable items, a office-of-audit-and-investiga- can obtain access to UNDP representative was tion.html#report. Every alle- information on the status of present for delivery gation is reviewed and, where their offer upon request. In regardless of the value. For appropriate, fully investigated. line with rules in place to expendable items (i.e., protect the integrity of the single-use items and bidding process, UNDP does multiple-use items), a UNDP not, however, provide this representative had to be information to a third party. present for delivery Individual companies are in case the value of goods under no obligation from was exceeding USD 10,000. UNDP to withhold If items from a single information on their bids, procurement were delivered but standard business to multiple locations, USD practice is not to reveal 5,000 threshold per location bidding information to had to be applied. A signed competitors. delivery note had to be obtained from supplier or 3 Import-related documents beneficiary. - Internal control actions - For medicinal products and are undertaken to verify medical devices which are that delivered goods not registered with the correspond to Purchase Agency for Medicinal Order in quality and Products and Medical quantity; Delivery note is Devices of Bosnia and signed by both UNDP Herzegovina, a signed and representative and the stamped Statement from authorized beneficiary the beneficiary (direct representative and a copy beneficiary: hospital, clinic, of the delivery note clinical centre, institute) obtained. was necessary. - UNDP personnel attending - In cases where UNDP deliveries has to wear imports goods for several personal protection gear 45

ANNEX 2 Medical equipment and supplies purchased and delivered with contributions of international partners 46

*All numbers represent number of items delivered, not funds. 47 48 49 50 51 52

SARAJEVO CANTON 20,872

3D printer and printing material 7 Automatic analyzer for serological diagnosis 1 Chemicals for Sequencing Viral RNA (set) 1 Container for Triage 1 Defibrillator 1 ECG machine 12 Fuel card for NGO ‘Dajte nam šansu’ 2 Monitors (vital functions / invasive + noninvasive monitoring modalities) 4 RNA Extractor 1 Ventilator (for critical care) 2 X-ray Machine 1 Patient bed 44 Alcohol-based hand rub solution (l) 2,000 Clips Titanium 9,600 Face shield 500 Gown (single use) 2,000 Medical Covers 711 Particulate respirator (N95 or higher - mask FFP2) 500 RNA Extraction Kits 960 Single-use shoe covers (pcs) 1,000 Soap bar 500 Suture (pcs) 3,024

*All numbers represent number of items delivered, not funds. 53 54

*All numbers represent number of items delivered, not funds. 55 56 57

TOTAL FEDERATION BIH 42,022

Infective waste sterilizer 1 Automatic vertical autoclave 1 Specialized vehicle for medical waste transport 2 Personal protective masks (medical/surgical mask) 92,500 Particulate Respirator (FFP2 / N95) 2,163 Single use Gloves 92,000 Protective suit with hood for single use 2,931 Personal protective goggles 100 Face shield 225 Shoe cover 4,752 Non-woven Bouffant Cap 1,750 Disinfectants (50 ml) 346 Yellow Clinical Waste Bags (medium duty 30L) 44,950 Yellow Clinical Waste Bags (medium duty 40L) 7,000 Infectious waste bags (large - for steam treatment - Treatment Equipment) 3,700 Yellow Clinical Waste Bags (medium duty 50L) 14,200 Yellow Clinical Waste Bags (small duty 5 L) 300 Gray bags for sterilizer Meteka or equivalent (110 l) 1,000 Sharps disposal containers (plastic small 0,5 l) 3,860 Sharps disposal containers (plastic large 2,3 l) 6,780 Yellow transport container (120 l on wheels) 106 Yellow transport container (240 l on wheels) 99 Yellow bucket with pedal (17 l) 559 Liquid medical waste bin yellow (10 l) 550 Infectious waste bag holders 11 58

*All numbers represent number of items delivered, not funds. 59

UNDP also financed the IU Reconstruction in General Hospital Sarajevo with 3% of total cost. 60

*All numbers represent number of items delivered, not funds. 61

ANNEX 3 Medical equipment and supplies purchased and delivered with contributions of authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina 62

* All numbers represent number of items delivered, not funds. 63 64

The IU Reconstruction in General Hospital Sarajevo was funded 97% by Sarajevo Canton and 3% by UNDP. 65

CENTRAL-BOSNIA CANTON 125,522

PCR Machine 1 X-ray Machine 1 Laboratory Devices (Various) 17 Laboratory Supplies ( Liquid, Various - l) 21 Laboratory Supplies (Various) 47 Adult diapers 15,000 Albumin - human (dose) 190 Gloves (examination, non-sterile, latex - pcs) 20,000 Goggles (protective) 150 Mask (surgical) 10,000 Pancuronium ampoules 5,000 Paracetamol (500 mg) 2,000 Propofol (500mg/50ml) 1,000 Protective suit 6,050 Single-use shoe covers (pcs) 29,000 Surgical Hats (Ordinary Hats) 20,000 Suxamethonium ampoules 2,000 Tests for COVID19 Detection 5,000 Universal Sterile Transport Medium for Viruses 10,000 Vecuronium ampoules 45 66 68