On behalf of the 26 UN agencies operating in Italy, FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu on Wednesday signed an agreement with the Italian Red Cross on measures to protect staff and visitors amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The accord will allow the UN agencies to continue to benefit from the support of Italian Red Cross volunteers who will conduct daily temperature screenings as Italy's nationwide lockdown is being progressively eased.
Speaking during a virtual signature ceremony, Qu, as the Designated UN Official for Security in Italy, expressed his sympathy and solidarity with the government and people of Italy "in these challenging times".
The agreement was signed by the President of the Italian Red Cross, Francesco Rocca. Italy's Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Emanuela Del Re, and Deputy Minister of International Cooperation, Marina Sereni also took part in the event.
"This is a historic occasion for us to further strengthen the relationship between the UN and the Italian Red Cross. From the very beginning of the COVID-19 emergency, our Italian hosts have provided the 26 UN agencies in Italy with indispensable support," Qu said.
This involved some 13,000 people in Rome, Florence, Venice, Bolzano, Perugia, Turin and Brindisi.
"I am pleased to sign this agreement today, as it is another important step for the friendship between the UN in Italy and the Italian Red Cross Society. I believe that a strong and mutually-beneficial relation between the UN Family and our host country Italy is of great importance," the FAO Director-General said.
FAO in February put in place a series of measures to monitor and plan the agency's response to the crisis in keeping with UN World Health Organization guidelines and Italian regulations, Qu said.
"We organized temperature checks, arranged for a swift move to teleworking...And right from the beginning of the health emergency, we asked the Italian Red Cross Society for their assistance, Qu said.
"Thanks to their dedicated and passionate work, one case has so far been quickly detected and contained at FAO headquarters, thus preventing an outbreak."
FAO decided to light up its Rome headquarters in Italy's Green, White and Red "as a sign of brotherhood, solidarity and true friendship towards Italy and Rome that have been hosting FAO for nearly 70 years," Qu stated.
Francesco Rocca, President of the Italian Red Cross said that the blue pillar and red pillar are working hand in hand in their response to the pandemic.
Deputy Minister Emanuela Del Re thanked FAO, the UN and the Red Cross for their extraordinary work amid the Covid-19 pandemic "that calls for close collaboration and multilateralism" the statement said.
Italy is at the forefront of the global response to COVID-19, Del Re and foreign undersecretary Marina Sereni said, highlighting plans to establish a Food Coalition against hunger.
