The Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Geoffrey Makhubo on behalf of the City today, 2 June 2020, received a consignment of personal protective equipment (PPE) from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in South Africa.
The donation by the United Nations Development Programme aims to support to the City of Johannesburg’s efforts in containing the spread of Covid-19. The United Nations Development Programme has donated R1.5 million worth of personal protective equipment. The R1,5milion consignment includes 20,000 surgical masks, 2,000 face shields, 10,000 hair nets, 1,000 surgical goggles, 5,000 sterile gloves, 5,000 disposable aprons, 200 forehead thermometers, 5,000 cloth reusable masks, 2,000 hand sanitisers and 1,000 bacterial soaps was
“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. This PPE will support our health workers and communities who are unable to afford it” said Mayor Makhubo
An amount of 5 000 cloth masks will be distributed to communities identified by the City, while the rest of the personal protective equipment will be utilized by the frontline employees.
“The donation by the UNDP in South Africa also comes at the time when the city is shifting from the responsive approach to the recovery approach and we are certain that the donation will assist the City’s efforts in responding to Covid-19, especially during alert level 3 lockdown.” Added the Mayor
“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.
Dr Ayodele Odusola also applauded the City’s efforts in responding to the global pandemic. “This Covid-19 partnership is part of African solidarity and at the same time one of the major assets of the continent in terms of spreading kindness. The City led by Mayor Makhubo has really done an impressive job by setting a number of initiatives to manage the spread of Covid-19. The effort displayed by the City of Johannesburg in combating the pandemic has inspired the UNDP and other members of the United Nations working in South Africa to establish this partnership with the City.” Added Dr Odusola
The Mayor expressed gratitude on behalf of residents of Johannesburg for the PPE received and urged more organisations to continue working with all three spheres of government in responding to Covid-19. “Government cannot address this pandemic alone, and through partnerships with organisations such as the UNDP in South Africa, we are able to collectively combat the spread of the virus.” Concluded Mayor Makhubo
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. As such, the two entities concluded with a signing of a memorandum of understanding in this regard.
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For Media Enquiries
Mlimandlela Ndamase
Director: Mayoral Communications
MlimandlelaN@joburg.org.za
083 480 0014
#COJDMC COVID-19 Joint Operation Centre 24/7 number is 010 224 0932
