3^rd August 2021, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka: Today, UN-Habitat distributed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the District Secretariat (DS) of Nuwara Eliya. The effort is to support the frontline healthcare/medical personnel and field officers of the Government to combat and control the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nuwara Eliya District. The PPE were officially handed over to Mr G K G A R P K Nandana, Government Agent/District Secretary of Nuwara Eliya.

4^th August 2021, Badulla, Sri Lanka: Today, UN-Habitat distributed PPE to the DS of Badulla, similarly, to be distributed among frontline healthcare/medical personnel and field officers of the Government. The PPE were officially handed over to Ms Damayanthi Paranagama, Government Agent/District Secretary of Badulla by the UN-Habitat team.

This activity is funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) of the Australian Government through the Sri Lanka Multi Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) under the project titled “COVID-19 development response to support marglinalised estate and rural communities in Nuwara Eliya and Badulla Districts in Sri Lanka” which is implemented by UN-Habitat.

The Project gives special emphasis to health response and health security. The procured and distributed items include, PPE kits (including washable gown, pants, head and shoe covers), hand sanitizer bottles, KN95 face masks, disposable gloves, disinfectant liquid, face shields and handheld thermometers. Containment of COVID-19 remains a top priority of the Government of Sri Lanka and UN-Habitat is working closely with key Government stakeholders in their efforts to fight COVID-19.