DISASTER RESPONSE COORDINATION UNIT : COVID-19 response

Weekly situation update Date: 29 May 2020

Key statistics As of 29 May 2020 Total cases Total number of 1662 1800 confirmed cases of 1600 1662 COVID-19 1400 1350 1200 1111 The number of new 68 1000 cases from total 906 800 756 656 600 554 The number of human 16 400 419 losses 200 147216 0 The number of 1088 recovered cases

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 Security Council recommended the state of emergency on 22 March, and the Government subsequently imposed stricter measures, placing checkpoints in every region and city, and shutting down facilities (cafes, cinemas, shopping malls, and other entertainment places), leaving only grocery stores, food markets, pharmacies, and medical facilities.

As of 28 May 2020, 1,662 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the Kyrgyz Republic and 16 deaths. Please also see in the table age disaggregation among the confirmed cases as of 15 May 2020. Out of total confirmed cases: cases among women- 852(51%), cases among men – 810(49%). Number Age group Number % from total of laboratory test in the last day – 2,494 . The number of contacts with laboratory-confirmed patients with covid-19 is 7,222 and 2,467 people are Under 15 213.0 23.5 on observation. From 16 to 19 55.0 6.1

From 20 to 35 647.0 71.4 The emergency state was expired on 10 May, but it was decided to leave the emergency regime and quarantine in and cities, in At- From 35 to 55 505.0 55.7 Bashi district of the region and in the rural district of Kanysh-Kiya Above 55 242.0 26.7 district of the Jalal-Abad region. From 25 May, the public transport - buses, trolleybuses and minibuses started functioning.

According to the vice-mayor of Bishkek, some activities remain under the ban: cultural, sports, scientific, family, commemorative events; entertainment activities; activities of children's entertainment facilities, playgrounds; the activities of online clubs, as well as computer gaming establishments; activities of organizations in the field of preschool education.

Disaster Response Coordination Unit COVID-19

Priority sectors Required Received % of funding (USD) (USD) PROGRESS -19 % Health 15,800,000 3,278,8852 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 661,600 373,800 56.50%

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 below assistance was provided by Government and via bilateral channels.

Government assistance

• From 26 April 2020 to date, mobile teams carried out a trip to 128 foci of infection, 498 yards (houses) were examined and 1,115 people were tested. The Government of the Kyrgyz Republic allocated 6,000 bags (300 tons of flour) for poor and large families. 16,725 families received food aid in the form of food packages. The Government of the Kyrgyz Republic allocated funds to residents of the Chuy Oblast residential areas bordering the city of Bishkek, as well as 113 tons of flour and 21.3 tons of sugar to help 7,167 families. The Republican Staff allocated 1,000 food baskets for food supplies. The Kyrgyz Government allocated 24 million soms, as well as 300 tons of flour and 90 tons of sugar from the State Reserve Fund for the formation of 30,787 food baskets - 10 kg of flour and 3 kg of sugar each. The food set amounted to about 1,200 soms. The Government of the Kyrgyz Republic additionally allocated 20 million soms, as well as 250 tons of flour and 75 tons of sugar from the State Reserve Fund for the formation of 25 thousand food sets. As of 23 May 2020, 99 696 humanitarian aid was distributed in the city of Bishkek. • On 22 May 2020, a charter flight of Ural Airlines airline on the route Yekaterinburg-Bishkek-Yekaterinburg was carried out in the Kyrgyz Republic, 22 citizens were returned. On 23 May, 109 students and 37 people, including students and private citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic, from various cities of the United States and Canada arrived in Bishkek on a special flight organized for the emergency removal of students from Kyrgyzstan who studied under the exchange program in the United States. On 26 May, the airline Aeroflot arrived in Kyrgyzstan on the route Moscow - Bishkek, which returned 450 citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic from Russia .22 citizens of Kyrgyzstan returned to Bishkek from India on a charter flight of Air India along the Delhi-Bishkek- Delhi route, organized by the Indian side. 413 Kyrgyz citizens arrived in Bishkek from the Orenburg region. • As of 28 May, specialists from the State Inspectorate for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Safety are working at 32 checkpoints at the state border. 142 veterinary inspectors were involved, disinfection of vehicles and goods are being carried out.

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

Ministry of Health of Kyrgyz Republic 138,536,446 82,295,821 53,240,625 Ministry of Labor and Social Development of Kyrgyz Republic 17,423,282 16,139,996 1,283,286 Mayor`s Office of Bishkek city 7,096,326 5,920,373 1,175,953

1 Funding update will be included next week 2 Average estimation without Turkey-Kyrgyzstan Friendship Hospital 2 COVID-19

Bilateral assistance

Today, there is an agreement on the provision of financial assistance from international donors in the amount of more than $ 462 million: • Of these, so far have been received from the International Monetary Fund in two tranches in the amount of almost $ 242 million (241,948,003) on credit. All of them are aimed at replenishing the republican budget. • The Asian Development Bank allocates three tranches. According to the first tranche, an agreement with a financial institution has been signed; domestic procedures are currently underway. And by the beginning of June, $ 50 million is expected, half of which is on a grant basis. The second tranche of $ 50 million will also be sent after approval by the ADB Board of Directors. The entire amount is provided on credit. These two tranches will be directed to budget support. In addition, ADB is providing another $ 20 million. Of which half is a grant, the other is a loan, for an investment project for the purchase of medical supplies and medicines necessary to prevent COVID-19. Project details are discussed with ADB. In total, the Asian Development Bank allocates $ 120 million. • The World Bank allocates two investment projects - “Emergency Project on COVID-19” and “Improving Resilience to Natural Disasters in Kyrgyzstan”: 21 million 150 thousand dollars. Half on credit, the other on a grant basis. Projects involve the purchase of facilities and equipment for the health sector • The Islamic Development Bank, out of the savings from existing projects in Kyrgyzstan, gives a loan of $ 15 million for the purchase of medicines. • The European Union allocates 15 million 300 thousand Euros for the implementation of the educational program. For digitalization events - 6 million Euros. In the field of social protection 9 million 500 thousand Euros. In total, the European Union provides Kyrgyzstan with 33 million 880 thousand dollars on a grant basis. • KfW Development Bank’s counter-funds in the amount of 30 million 352 thousand 500 dollars will be used to support farmers in order to further ensure food security.

EARLY RECOVERY

Needs: • Support 620,100 vulnerable population • Restore livelihoods and employment. 620,100 • Restore livelihoods (employment and business support) People targeted • Needs and Socio-economic impact assessment will identify further needs • Support returning migrants

Response: • ACTED/UNDP Needs assessments on MSME (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises) completed. • Initial findings of Migrant and returnee’s assessment has been shared. • Assessment of Tourism, Textile sectors are being conducted. • Socio-economic impact assessment is being conducted • Continuous support affected communities and national partners in basic services, livelihood, Migrant and social cohesion • Continuous development of new projects and re-programming the ongoing activities to COVID-19. • Coordination meeting with partners is continuing

Gaps & Constraints: • Increased prices of commodities (foods, fuel, and medicines) • Reduction in remittance • A wide range of negative impacts on the business including textile, tourism, SMEs, etc. • Cross border issues and dispute in the border communities

3 COVID-19 EDUCATION

Needs: • Approx. 2.4 million children and young people are affected by the educational facility closure and in need of remote learning. This may continue for the next school year 2.5M which starts on 1 September 2020. People targeted • More than 100,000 teachers are in need of clear instructions and capacity for 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: • Since the launch of remote learning by the Ministry of Education and Science on 8 April, Education Sector members have been supporting the development of video lessons and online platform all levels of education from preschool to higher education. As for school level, the production of planned 1,200 video lessons in Kyrgyz, Russian and Uzbek languages with sign language has been completed for the school year 2019- 2020. Tajik subtitles are being added in some of the lessons. To strengthen the Sector support for TVET and higher education levels, a subgroup has been established. • Not only for children but several video guidance materials have been developed for teachers and parents/care givers on how to utilize the remote learning tools and how best to support children’s homeschooling. • Some Sector members are supporting the Ministry with provision of psychology support for children through social pedagogues/teachers and establishment of hotlines. • Reopening guideline for kindergartens has been drafted. However, there is still no decision made on when kindergartens will open again. • Plan for the preparation of video lessons for the next school year 2020-2021 is currently under development. Gaps & Constraints: • At the Sector meeting held on 22 May, H.E. Minister Kanybek Isakov requested the Sector’s support especially in the following areas: a) Reopening of preschools by disinfecting the premises (447 kindergartens for 7,542 children and more), providing thermography cameras, disinfectant tunnels, disinfectants for daily sanitation and PPE for children and teachers; b) Completion of 2019-2020 school year by supporting the implementation of learning outcome assessment for part of the graduating students (1,300 people), university admission exams and Olympiad the student competition in different subjects; c) Preparation of video lessons for the next school year 2020-2021, in preparation to the potential preschool and school closure after September. FOOD SECURITY AND LOGISTICS

Needs: • 500,000 require immediate direct food assistance. It is estimated that about 1.83 million people will require food or cash assistance 500,000 • 400,000 smallholder farmers in need of support to sustain and maintain People targeted agriculture season 2020 Response: • FAO will provide support in strengthening institutional capacities in price and market information systems and policy monitoring in response to COVID-19 and other shocks • FAO in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Industry and Melioration provided agricultural inputs to the most vulnerable communities and farmers. • In April, WFP in coordination with Ministry of Labour and Social Development distributed 1,033.4 metric tons of food assistance to 33,135 beneficiaries through regular asset creation and training programmes. • In May, in coordination with Ministry of Labour and Social Development distributed 1,008 metric tons of food assistance to 30,863 beneficiaries through regular asset creation and training programmes. • In May, WFP provided emergency food assistance to social inpatient institutions which was delivered in two shipments including 59 metric tons (20-days ration for 3,203 beneficiaries in 22 social inpatient institutions for elderly, people with disabilities and orphans) between 7-12 May 2020 and 207 metric tons (70-day ration) between 27-29 May 2020. • In May, WFP re-distributed the wheat flour from its school meals programme, which was suspended due to school closures, to over 53,000 primary school children from rural families to ensure their food security during the pandemic.

4 COVID-19 • In June, WFP is planning to reprioritize another 1,000 tons of food assistance to reach people living in extreme poverty. • Government is reported to allocate KGS 200 million to provide food assistance to low-income families. • Development Partners Coordination Country group on Food Security and Nutrition conducted regular meeting to finalize the anti-crisis plan to address the emerging needs to maintain food security and nutrition of the population. Measures include support to private sector to stabilize the markets, stockpiling food as part of state material reserve and cash transfers to the population economically impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. • Recommendations on appropriate breastfeeding and complementary feeding developed, approved by the Experts Council of the MoH on 6, April 2020 and delivered to regional health coordinators for further dissemination ( 210,000 copies) to maternal and new-born facilities, and health promotion units of the family medicine centres country-wide • Support on continuation of existing essential nutrition services, including procurement of essential nutrition supplies to vulnerable children and pregnant women. Funding request submitted to the WB • In May-June, FAO provides technical assistance in development of the import substitution program to ensure food security and be less dependent on foreign food imports. • In May, FAO in partnership with WFP launched online agronomic consultations for selected specialists from the rural areas, especially most affected districts from COVID-19 and recent snowfall and late frost in April. 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 June-July 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, fertilizer and livelihood care due to restrictions set during this crisis. • UNICEF re-programmed some funds to meet immediate covid19 related needs and planning implementation with cooperating partners. While this will meet some urgent needs, however, the activities still face 530,000 USD gap.

HEALTH

Progress: • Health partners continue to support capacity building interventions to strengthen 6.2 COVID response and support the maintenance of essential health services including immunization, non-communicable disease management, reproductive MILLION health, mental health and psychosocial support People targeted • WHO supporting Kyrgyzstan to implement and conduct sero-epidemiological studies. WHO will provide 4500 tests. • Partners continue support to strengthen communication, awareness raising at facility and community level. Support to production of tailored material to address priority risks. • Organized and conducted a meeting for w sub-working group to address Infection Prevention and Control needs, challenges and way forward. The group main priority is to support MoH actions to control and prevent infection among health workers. • Provision of updated protocols and guidelines on case management • Support MoH participation in the solidarity trail. • Provision of essential supplies and equipment.

Epidemiological update:

• MoH reported total of 1594 cases and 16 deaths as of May 28. • There is a 50% increase of 14-day cumulative incidence • Majority of new registered cases are among repatriated population

Needs: • Laboratory tests • Strengthening national capacity to address infection among health workers.

5 COVID-19

PROTECTION

Needs: • Continuous monitoring of children in residential institutions and provision of 1.5 necessary support to safeguard their wellbeing and prevent spreading the COVID- 19. MILLION • Provision of direct support to survivors of GBV and DV. Provide safe spaces, People targeted social/psycho-social support and access to service points (medical and legal) • Lack of access to information on GBV/DV prevention and response among vulnerable groups and conduct public awareness campaigns on GBV/DV issues, especially at the local level • Support the prevention and response to cases of GBV and DV through existing hotlines • Need to increase support to social workforce in reaching out to most vulnerable cases and children affected by violence after the end of the lockdown. • Informatization process of children and families in difficult life situations. • Need of a comprehensive analysis of socio-economic impact of the current emergency on children in Kyrgyzstan. • Continuous support to the promotion of prevention of violence against children and positive parenting campaigns. • Need to have a more comprehensive and systematic approach to administering the database of people in need of humanitarian assistance.

Response: • 13 women and 16 children received shelter support in the safe space since April 27, 2020 to end of May 2020 and. All survivors and their children were provided safe place, food, hygiene kits for adults and children, support with legal issues. Team of psychologists and social workers at safe space provide support women and children. • Preparation of a rapid assessment survey among young people (between 15-29y-o) in Kyrgyzstan to assess the COVID-19 effect on key areas of their wellbeing and livelihood, such as education, protection, health etc. A survey will with a sample size of 800 people will be conducted in the coming two weeks to identify main gaps and opportunities emerging from the time of quarantine and in its aftermath. • Remote psychosocial support sessions have been done with youth groups identified through youth engagement fora. • "Union of LSGs" has been contracted to improve information exchange between local self-government authorities and national-level authorities, improve access to information on among citizens regarding safety measures and regulations during quarantine. • Hotline continue operating: o Hotline 112 received 437,808 calls in Osh city and 507,987 calls in Bishkek city within the first four months of 2020 (January – April). Of those in total, 260,383 and 320,155 were addressed in Osh and Bishkek cities. Not addressed calls in both cities turned 177,425 and 187,832. Calls on irrelevant for the hotline subjects were 237,857 and 293,713 for Osh and Bishkek cities. Calls on relevant topics were 22,526 (Osh) and 26,442 (Bishkek). The hotlines referred to 101 number 87 calls in Osh and 81 calls in Bishkek; to 102 number 743 (Osh) and 613 (Bishkek) calls; to 103 number 1,728 calls (Osh) and 1,941 calls (Bishkek); to 161 number 65 (Osh) and 84 (Bishkek) calls; to Mayors 1,850 number 853 (Osh) and 560 (Bishkek) calls. 154 calls were related to SGBV cases out of total: 61 in Osh and 93 in Bishkek cities (6 –children, 146 women and 2 men). o Hotline 111 received 45,981 calls within the first 4 months 2020 (January – April). 2,440 callers requested consultations and support: 560 - men, 1,180 - women, 191-children.2161 callers’ requests were addressed. 130 received psychological support. 149 callers were referred to other services. 81 calls were related to domestic violence (6 children/girls, 5 men, 70 women). 22 were referred, 53 were addressed and six provided with PSS. 48 calls on domestic violence were received during the same period of 2019 (2 children, 44 women, 2 men). 16 calling cases were referred and 32 addressed. • USAID is planning to joint and support provision of free legal aid. • Human rights monitoring, including media content emphasizing on hate speech is still ongoing. • On 21 and 28 May, an online lecture on Human Rights concept for members of Public Network "Together" have been conducted. The Public Network consists of over than 300 members who work in the field of protecting the rights of women and girls.

6 COVID-19 • Provision of technical support to the National Center on Prevention of Torture (NPM) in conducting the monitoring visits of close facilities in Chui and Issyk-kul provinces.

Gaps and constraints: • There is high rate of GBV and there was not official appeal form the government to address the issues • Lack of centralized and electronic data on vulnerable children remain a major constraint. • Difficulties for social workforce in reaching out families in need through direct contact. • Scarce State inclusion of youth in the emergency response. • Unavailability of enough pool of quality psychosocial support. • Domestic violence and discrimination by relatives against members of vulnerable groups remains a major concern. Human rights defenders have provided information on cases of discrimination against people living with HIV when they were kicked out of the home with their children by their relatives. When cases are reported to law enforcement agencies, no protection is provided, or law enforcement agencies start to pressure victims to stop complaining. Women, persons with disabilities and the elderly also face such violence. • Lack of a proper access to food and access to humanitarian assistance for persons who do not have valid identification documents. Persons without registration at their place of residence, are excluded from the lists of those in need of State humanitarian support. Stateless persons and internal migrants living outside the places of registration are in a particularly vulnerable situation.

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

Response: • Helvetas distributed hygiene kits and food parcels for 238 families in Jalal-Abad and 286 families in Issyk-Kul. • Mercy Corps (NGO): In June, as movement restrictions will be lifted, engineers will visit sites, and construction company will start fieldwork to prepare schools for the new school year • IOM will provide an assessment of migrants’ children’s WASH-related needs • AKF&EC deliver 340 hygiene kits to vulnerable families in oblast (Beshkent AO:139 kits and Karabak AO: 201 kits) (Ongoing May-June 2020) • AKF&EC are improving drinking water system in Batken oblast (Chet-Kyzyl and Baikarabak villages (Kara-Bak AO) (Ongoing May-June 2020) • AKF&EC are improving toilet in Batken oblast: Beshkent Maternity Department and Hospital of Beshkent AO (Ongoing May-June 2020) • AKF&GAC will deliver 3000(300 kits to each district) hygiene kits to vulnerable families in Jalal-Abad oblast (Ala-Buka district, ), Naryn oblast (, At-Bashy district, district, , Ak-Talaa district), Osh oblast (Kara-Kulga district, Alai district, Chon-Alai district) (Proposed May- October)

Gaps & Constraints:

• WASH remains the most underfunded sector • No analysis/studies/assessments available on WASH in Schools and Health facilities at the country level • The support will be provided based on immediate funding availability and through reprogramming of ongoing projects where appropriate.

Based on the request of the Republican Shtab, UN agencies deployed communication specialists to the Press Center of the Republican Shtab to increase an effectiveness of risk communication activities through regular press briefings and timely dissemination of information through digital means: • WHO together with the Ministry of Health produced 22 short videos as well as 1 documentary film to raise public awareness about myths around COVID-19 and highlight the importance of basic protective measures against the new coronavirus;

7 COVID-19 • WHO in a close collaboration with the Centre of Health Promotion and Mass communication and Mayor of Bishkek city is developing risk communication materials (posters and flyers) on basic protective measures for public transports, main entrance of malls, and other crowded places in Bishkek city; • WHO is continuing to conduct a series of online webinars for various target audiences on various topics related to the COVID-19 risk communication. Recordings and materials are available via http://bit.ly/2vifQjj • WHO is planning to launch behavioral insights (BI) research across the country to assess to understand public levels of trust, people’s perceptions of risk, and the barriers they may face in following recommended actions; • WHO in partnership with UNICEF in Kyrgyzstan launched a deployment a chatbot so-called “HealthBuddy” https://healthbuddy.info/ to the Health Ministry’s website in Kyrgyz, Russian, and English language. It will include useful local information like the national hotlines, essential guidance, WHO recommendations. The chatbot will provide answers to questions relevant to citizens of Kyrgyzstan and will help the Ministry of Health to manage rumors more effectively. Citizens can report via the chatbot any fake news and rumors they have come across, and these can be clarified with facts and evidence. • WFP has produced a video, printing materials and arranged online consultations on COVID-19 preventive measures for the personnel of social inpatient institutions

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. On 16 May the Vice Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Ministry of Emergencies, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs met with the UN Resident Coordinator in the Kyrgyz Republic and the heads of several UN agencies. During the meeting, the parties discussed the Response and Early Recovery Plan for COVID-19 in the sectors of health, social support, education, WASH, and food security. Following the meeting, the participants agreed to continue fruitful cooperation in all areas within the framework of the joint Response and Early Recovery Plan for COVID-19.

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