UN directs peacekeepers to keep high alerts for COVID-19 safety

The United Nations (UN) has directed the peacekeepers to adopt high preventive and precaution measures to save off potential infection of COVID-19.

The Nepal Army Directorate of Public Relations and Information shared that the UN headquarters at New York has issued circular to adopt higher level of precautions and the Nepal Army headquarters has also directed Nepali peacekeepers in foreign missions for placing safety measures.

It was informed that necessary arrangement has been made to sensitize the peacekeepers to get protected from COVID-19 pandemic and liberate them from fear stemming from infection.

According to the NA, total 5,101 Nepali army personnel have been engaged in peace keeping contingent and military inspection in different 11 countries.

Assessing the risks of the infection, Nepal Army has limited its operations and other activities and also engaged in the task of sensitizing general public, NA’s DPR said.

The preparation for deputing Nepali peacekeepers in South Sudan has been put off for now with the country restricted the inbound of peacekeepers from China, India, Cambodia, South Korea and Nepal.

The NA is carrying out several other tasks including sensitization to peacekeepers to be sent to peace building mission and arrange necessary medical instruments and human resource for protection from pandemic.

Nepal Army has already informed the South Sudan government that it has made necessary arrangement for deputing peacekeepers only after their health screening and conformation of infection free, the NA sources said.