Pretoria, 2 June 2020 – The United Nations Development Programme in South Africa today handed over personal protective equipment (PPE) to the City of Johannesburg. “Johannesburg is the epicentre of the epidemic in the Gauteng Province and South Africa is the epicentre of the epidemic in Africa. To address this challenge, the City and the country cannot do it alone and partnerships with external stakeholders will be key in fighting this epidemic. During our discussions with City officials, they have highlighted the dire need for PPE, both for healthcare workers and communities” said Dr Ayodele Odusola, Resident Representative of UNDP South Africa during his opening remarks at the handover ceremony.

The R1,5milion consignment including 20,000 surgical masks; 2,000 face shields; 10,000 hair nets; 1,000 surgical goggles; 5,000 sterile gloves; 5,000 disposable overalls; 5,000 disposable aprons; 200 forehead thermometers; 5,000 cloth reusable masks; 2,000 hand sanitisers and 1,000 bacterial soaps was received by the Executive Mayor, Councillor Geoffrey Makhubo.  This assistance came timely as the country moves to lower levels of lockdown and opening of the economy. “The City of Johannesburg welcomes this contribution. The PPE will support our health workers and the communities who are unable to afford it” said the Mayor in his acceptance during the handover ceremony.

This contribution supplements the UN efforts to support Africa to respond and recover from COVID-19. It is also part of a broader partnership that UNDP and the Johannesburg Municipality intend to establish within the framework of the new strategic programme covering the 2020 – 2025 period.

For more information, or media interviews please contact:

United Nations, Rhulani Lehloka: 0663071827/rhulani.lehloka@undp.org  

COVID-19 | UNDP donates PPEs to the City of Johannesburg