July 13, 2024, (TORONTO, Canada): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in collaboration with Livelihood Development International Initiatives (LDII) conducted the first international Post COVID Conference in Toronto from 11-13 July 2024.
As part of the first International Post COVID Conference in Toronto, the corporation of the City Brampton has given the Certificate of recognitions and appreciation Award to the IGAD at the first international Post COVID Conference, in Toronto, in the Fight against COVID 19 in the region and beyond with unwavering support to humanity.
Speaking on behalf H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, Executive Secretary of IGAD, Madam Fathia A. Alwan, the Director for IGAD Health and Social Development Division explained that the IGAD significantly upgraded national laboratories and cross-border health facilities.
“We provided Massive number of COVID-19 supplies, Mobile laboratories, Ambulances, PCR machines with test kits, constructed screening and isolation facilities, distributed digital, IT, Connectivity materials and other essential diagnostic tools complimented with extensive essential trainings for healthcare workers,” Madam Fathia mentioned.
The Director also highlighted that the IGAD and its Member states continued collaboration and received a significant grant from the World Bank under the HEPRR MPA.
“We successfully collaborated with various international organizations, leveraging their support to enhance our response capabilities and achieved substantial health outcomes,” she added.
On behalf of the Government of Canada, Danielle Nadeau (PhD), Associate Professor at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Laval University welcomed the participants of the Conference, and expressed her pleasure to work with such professional and visionary organization.
“We look forward to future opportunities to engage with the IGAD.” the Associate Professor said.
The IGAD delegation led by Madam Fathia A. Alwan, the Director for IGAD Health and Social Development participated during the conference as a co Convener and co- organizer of this historic Conference.
The conference is a high level gathering of the first Post COVID-19 International Conference that drew delegates from all over the world. It has brought Member states of the AU, the regional blocks, the Academia and Universities in Canada.
Following Declaration by the heads of states and governments in the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) region and subsequently, call to Action by the Ministers of health and Finance, on 30th March and 8th April 2020 respectively, the European Union (EU) responded by funding the IGAD Regional Response Strategy to mitigate the health and socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19 among cross border communities, migrants, refugees and host communities, Internally Displaces Persons, and other mobile populations in the IGAD region.
Subsequently, the first international Post COVID Conference which was conducted for 3-days, in Toronto, Canada has concluded and provided rrecommendations and committed to improve coordination and communication for recovery and reconstruction phase and shared principles and course of action for continental, regional, and national COVID-19 recovery.
It is to be remembered that the EU-IGAD COVID-19 Response Programme which has contributed to the mitigation of the health and socioeconomic impact of COVID-19 in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda had received 60 million Euros from the European Union following an appeal for support by the IGAD Member State Heads of State and Government in March 2020.
IGAD has Awarded a recognition of Selfless work During the COVID 19 Pandemic.
