UN applauds Emirates' digital initiative to contain coronavirus
The United Nations Secretary-General has praised the digital initiatives launched by the UAE to tackle the spread of Covid-19 and reduce its social, health and economic impact.
The agency, as reported by the WAM agency, stressed that these initiatives offer a global model on how to harness and benefit from digital solutions to combat the pandemic.
The 'Compendium of e-government initiatives in response to the COVID-19 pandemic', launched on 6 October 2020 by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), explains how governments have been using campaigns and chatbots to provide reliable information about the virus and combat fake news, misinformation and viral hoaxes.
It also aims to capture emerging trends in the digital responses of UN member states to the COVID-19 pandemic and provide a preliminary analysis of its main features. During the Covid-19 pandemic, digital technologies have enabled governments to connect with people and continue to provide online services.
In many countries, digital government has intensified its central role as a necessary element of communication, leadership and collaboration between policy makers and society," said Liu Zhenmin, DESA's Assistant Secretary-General.
In response to the global Covid-19 pandemic, the UAE government has been willing to issue a set of decisions that will help ensure the safety of citizens, residents and visitors.
For example, a volunteer initiative was launched in the UAE to help combat the outbreak of the coronavirus. Volunteers can register at www.Volunteers.ae and allow organisations to find them through the portal's online registration.
Another digital resource is the MAP Health Facility Locator application launched by the Federal Competition and Statistics Authority. This application can help the public locate Covid-19 detection centres along with the country's other health facilities, including hospital centres and clinics. Users can search for various facility details, location or proximity from their current location or any other location.
In addition, the United Arab Emirates National Happiness and Wellness Programme, NPHW, has launched a national campaign to provide free online mental health support for all UAE residents facing the adverse psychological effects of the pandemic. The initiative involves more than 50 experts in the fields of psychology, mental and social support and life skills.
