Approximately 400,000 people in 423 informal settlements find themselves at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19. Given the unique vulnerabilities of these settlements including high density, deficient access to water, and insecure tenure, UN-Habitat has engaged with community leaders and grassroots civil society organizations in five townships in Yangon to amplify efforts to combat COVID-19.

UN-Habitat has reached 13,240 households – approximately 70,000 people – in Hlaingthayar, Shwepyitha, Dala, South Dagon, and Dagon Seikkan townships. Through a network of 131 local-level community volunteers, these households have been provided with accurate information on the symptoms of COVID-19, and key preventive actions to keep themselves and their families safe. In addition, networks of 95 handwashing stations have been installed in key locations within informal settlements in three townships. The community volunteers have been trained and provided with PPE kits and a per-diem as livelihood support. UN-Habitat has also provided PPE kits including 900 sets of N-95 masks, face vizors, googles, surgical gowns, caps, and gloves, and hand sanitizers to three key hospitals/fever clinics serving the vulnerable urban poor in informal settlements.

We would like to share with you the first number of UN-Habitat’s brief on COVID-19 response, we hope you enjoy it and find it informative.