Regional Highlights

• With over 207,000 confirmed cases, India has seen a rapid rise and now has the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the Asia Pacific region. Iran, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Indonesia   continue   to   experience   a   rapid   increase   in confirmed cases.
• Several  countries  in  the  region  are  responding  to  natural disasters     during     the     pandemic,     including     India, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Vanuatu and Timor-Leste.
• In  countries  with  fragile  health  systems,  refugees  and displaced populations are extremely vulnerable. More than
• 20   cases   have   been   confirmed   in   the   overcrowded Rohingya  refugee  camps  of  Cox's  Bazar  in  Bangladesh, with   the   first   COVID-19-related   death   of   a   Rohingya refugee confirmed.
• Cross-border  movements  can  make  countries  such  as Afghanistan,  Iran,  Pakistan  and  Nepal  vulnerable  to  new cases.
• Small  island  states  with  weak  health  systems  are  also vulnerable. The Maldives has seen a rapid rise in cases.
• At least nine country offices and the Pacific Sub-Regional Office  (PSRO)  are  implementing  activities  tailored  to  the needs of people with disabilities, including customisation of dignity  kits,  development  of  safety  apps  and  accessible information dissemination.
• At least ten country offices and the PSRO are meeting the needs of older men and women by implementing activities tailored   to   their   unique   needs,   such   as   provision   of community-based  health  care  services,  customisation  of dignity kits and risk communication.
• UNFPA  is  supporting  innovative  remote  and  tele-health service delivery for both SRH and GBV.
• While   additional   resources   have   been   mobilised,   a significant funding gap remains. Other challenges include disruptions    to    supply    chains,    movement    restrictions impacting  service  delivery  and  ensuring  services  reach vulnerable migrant populations.