United Nations global response to the COVID-19 outbreak

“We must declare war on this virus”

The United Nations recognises that the COVID-19 pandemic is one of the most dangerous challenges this world has faced in our lifetime. Above all, we recognise that this is a human crisis with severe health and socio-economic consequences.

Preventing the further spread of COVID-19 is a shared responsibility for us all, and the United Nations – including the World Health Organization -- is fully mobilized. As part of our human family, we are working 24/7 with governments, providing international guidance, and working our hardest to help the world take on this threat.

Through the World Health Organization, the United Nations is working closely with global experts, governments and partners to track the spread of the virus and to provide guidance to both countries and individuals on the most effective measures to protect health and prevent the spread of this outbreak, while via the United Nations Sustainable Development Group, the UN entities working on development are supporting countries in their preparedness and response plans.

In the words of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the United Nations recognises that we must “declare war on this virus”. We are committed to assisting the global community to marshal resources and work in solidarity to both overcome the spread of COVID-19 and ensure targeted support for those people and communities most affected by the disease.

Read the latest news on the United Nations’ response to COVID-19