Regarding COVID-19 responses, the UN Country Team (UNCT) on the ground has already been actively supporting the Royal Government of Bhutan. The UNCT made a modest contribution of USD 50,000 towards meeting the immediate needs of the quarantine facilities across the country.  In addition, UN agencies, through their agency emergency funds, mobilized a total of USD 1,134,500 (approximately Nu. 80 million). Furthermore, the staff representatives from UN Staff Association of Bhutan (UNSAB), UNICEF Thimphu Staff Association (UTSA), WHO and World Bank handed over a cheque of Nu. 598,961 to the Prime Minister. This is a voluntary contribution from the UN staff and the amount will go to PM’s Relief Fund.

With National Statistics Bureau (NSB) in close collaboration with the Gross National Happiness Commission, labour ministry, and Tourism Council of Bhutan, the UNCT will work on real time tracking of the Social and Economic Impacts resulting from COVID-19 particularly on vulnerable groups.