Page 56 - Coespu 2020-2

IN DEPTH

as maintaining the so-
cial fabric of commu-
nities . The post-CO-
9
VID-19 world is one
where the UN recogni-
zes that millions of pe-
ople, including its staff
are experiencing the
psychological challen-
ges of dealing with the
pandemic, and we must
do something about it.
Early in the respon-
se, the Secretary-Ge-
neral sent a message
to all UN personnel,
emphasizing his fo-
cus on the mental he-
alth and wellbeing of
staff. In addition, the
UN System Workpla-
ce Mental Health and
Wellbeing Strategy10,
which was launched
in 2018, has been
modifi ed taking into
consideration the wellbeing and time, but are designed to ensu- Blue Helmets may be expected
health needs of personnel du- re that they are sustainable and to take on additional tasks, that
ring the COVID-19 pandemic. will help lead to improved health would include facilitating the de-
The UN has also developed a de- and well-being of personnel well livery of food supplies, medical
dicated webpage for staff care into the future – UN sources say. and public-health initiatives led
measures and resources across a What Next for UN Peace Opera- by humanitarian actors and me-
broad range of health and wel- tions? diation support for any political
lbeing topics, such as dealing with The economic, security and social turbulence linked to COVID-19.
uncertainty, loss and grief, working effects of COVID-19 might last for Against this backdrop, the overall
remotely, as well as advice and months if not years to come and it is future of peace operations is un-
training for managers. The organi- possible that they cause further in- der scrutiny and depends on many
zation also has internal staff/stress stability in confl ict-prone countries. complex aspects. The fi rst one is
counsellors with teams in the majo- While so far no UN Peace Opera- potential budget cuts, about which
rity of peacekeeping missions and tion has faced political turbulences the 5 Committee will deliberate on
th
has scaled up on external mental that could be linked to the pande- 30 June, 2020. Thus, as a result of
health partners in each region. mic, there could be a greater need the global economic recession and
Further, insurance plans are cur- for UN Missions in the future and criticism on performance of peace
11
rently covering for additional that existing ones will have to step operations - that started long be-
psychosocial support, meaning that in more prominently to help main- fore COVID-19 - UN experts fear
whenever staff need it, they are now taining public order and support that current peacekeeping budget
able to reach a professional coun- governments with COVID-19-in- could be slashed down to 50% .
13
sellor using tele-health services. duced political pressures. While this may not mean the closu-
The actions in place will assist not According to Richard Gowan re of missions overnight, spending
only during this unprecedented and Louise Riis Andersen , the might be cut gradually and there
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