COVID-19 Pandemic

COUNTRY RESPONSE

ECONOMIC UPDATE

CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENT

GOVERNANCE

COVID-19 pandemic is much more than a health crisis. By stressing every one of the countries it touches, it has the potential to create devastating social, economic and political crises that will leave deep scars. 

“We are already hard at work, together with our UN family and other partners, on three immediate priorities: supporting the health response including the procurement and supply of essential health products, under WHO’s leadership, strengthening crisis management and response, and addressing critical social and economic impacts.” UNDP Administrator, Achim Steiner

UNDP Maldives response

Assessment

We are helping the Government to determine the economic impact of the COVID19 outbreak and its response on the self-employed, and on small and medium size businesses. In addition, we are assisting in identifying and developing strategies to mitigate the resulting potential social consequences, such as increased unemployment and loss of income, heightened strains within households, and increased inequalities between different demographic groups

The Ministry of Economic Development (MED) is taking the lead in collaboration with other Government Ministries and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to undertake a rapid livelihood assessment to determine the level and nature of impact of the crisis on employment and Micro-Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in order to develop a timely impact mitigation and economic response plan. The technical assistance for the assessment is provided by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Maldives and the Maldives National University (MNU).

The field-based data collection for the assessment will begin on during the second week of April 2020. The main target respondents of the field-based data collection include officials of tourist resort management, employees, micro-small and medium enterprise representatives and representatives of various associations that represent business and or employee interests. Taking in to account the limitations in mobility and to ensure public safety, the field data collection will be carried out through non-contact methods such as phone based and online surveys and online discussions.

Announcement from the Ministry of Economic Development about the Rapid Livelihoods Assessment

The first phase of the assessment focusing on the tourism sector has been completed and the report has been published.  Report can be accessed here

The UNDP MED team is working on the final phase to update resort employment data and will have a new addition looking at impact on MSMEs. The final report is expected to completed by mid-July.

Assessment's being supported

• Rapid Economic and Livelihoods Assessment
• Socio-Economic Impact Assessment
• Climate Change/Water Security Assessment

“As the Government starts designing stimulus packages and other responses, this presents an unprecedented opportunity for transforming the economic structure to be low-carbon, climate-resilient and inclusive. UNDP is pleased to be part of the process.” - UNDP Maldives Resident Representative, Akiko Fujii

Useful Links

UNDP Response to COVID-19

UN Secretary-General's Report on the Socio-Economic Impacts of COVID-19

Weekly Reports