The UN team in India is supporting the country’s authorities to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic by providing critical supplies, and its agencies are procuring thousands of oxygen concentrators, oxygen generating plants, and other essential equipment as well as helping set up mobile hospital units, a spokesperson for the UN chief said.

I know you’ve been asking about our support to India during the current surge in COVID-19 cases,” Deputy Spokesman for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Farhan Haq told reporters at the daily press briefing on Wednesday.

“Our team there, led by Resident Coordinator Renata Lok Dessallien, is supporting the authorities’ response to the pandemic by providing equipment and supplies, including to local governments, Haq said.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) are procuring equipment and supplies, including 7,000 oxygen concentrators and 500 nasal devices for oxygen supply, as well as oxygen generating plants, COVID-19 testing machines, and personal protective kits, he said.

Haq’s comment comes a day after he said, in response to a question, that the UN had offered the assistance of its integrated supply chain if it was required but the offer was declined by India.

We’ve been told at this point that it’s not needed because India has a reasonably robust system to deal with this. But our offer stands, and we’re willing to help in whatever way we can, Haq had said on Tuesday.