As part of  the support to the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the United Nations  system is accompanying the Government of the Republic of Congo to capitalize the use of new technologies and digital solutions to ensure the continuity of public service and to improve communication, awareness-raising and the dissemination of information related to the fight against the pandemic.

It is in this perspective that the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on 10^th June2020 in Brazzaville, jointly convened with Government to provide zoom licenses, availed by UNDP to ensure continuity in government work during this period of Covid.19 and launch 3 digital solutions to support Government response to COVID-19. Three applications; two by UNDP and one by UNFPA, to accompany the mass sensitization campaign around the pandemic. 

The two applications developed by UNDP are: a SMS Chatbot which is an automatic assistant, developed to support the dissemination of sensitization messages, nationwide interactive exchanges through SMS. The second application developed the COVID TRACKER  is a mobile web application to help collect and geo-localizes  COVID-19 cases, through a dashboard presentation with detailed statistics. The application is intended to support the work of decision-makers and health personnel in the field.

The innovation developed by UNFPA is EDUCOVID is a free application which serves to educate the masses and promotes compliance with preventive measures against the COVID-19 including a dedicated feature providing primary health assistance to pregnant women and Gender-Based Violence. 

The launch event was co-chaired by the Ministers of Health, Population, Promotion of Women and Integration of Women in Development, Mrs. Jacqueline Lydia MIKOLO, and the Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Digital Economy, Mr. Léon Juste IBOMBO, with the presence of the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mr. Chris  MBURU, the UNDP Resident Representative, Mr. Maleye DIOP and the UNFPA Representative, Mr. Mohamed Lemine OULD, as well as representatives of other UN agencies.

These applications are designed to provide users with instant, clear and detailed information on what the COVID-19 is, how to protect themselves against it, and how to diagnose it. They are also platforms for relaying real-time information and notification of social distancing and preventive measures reminders. They are  simple, dynamic digital solutions with user-friendly interfaces that take into account other national languages and were all developed by young Congolese whose talents and creativity have been harnessed by UN agencies in the Republic of Congo to support the national efforts against the pandemic and creates opportunities for these vibrant youth.

                                                           Mariam OUEDRAOGO Chargée de Communication PNUD