UNDP as the technical lead in the socio-economic recovery efforts of Guinea-Bissau on Friday, June 18, 2021, delivered Information & Communication Technology (ICT) equipment to partner government institutions, namely the Ministry of Justice, the Judicial Police, and the Attorney General’s office, as part of ongoing support to the Government of Guinea-Bissau's business continuity. 

Business continuity planning as a component of building core-government resilience in normal times is especially critical in cases of major crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. For the State institutions to be able to continue to meet the daily needs of the citizens, they must be able to adapt their operations to the new environment.

Since the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis in Guinea-Bissau, UNDP’s support to the government's recovery efforts have been designed to assist both core and non-core functions, necessary to stem the full impact of the economic and social consequences of the pandemic.  According to the COVID-19 Socio-economic Impact Analysis for Guinea-Bissau, the country’s inability to build enough momentum for reform pre-COVID-19, buttresses the importance of accountable, democratic governance and investment in institutions as a pre-condition to navigate the crisis. UNDP Guinea-Bissau has been supporting crisis management by helping government institutions to maintain business continuity and to plan, coordinate, communicate as well as  finance their crisis responses. 

Seizing the opportunities that ICT offers, UNDP Guinea-Bissau is striving to reinvent how it works in the country and how it can improve as an efficient partner to local stakeholders. By providing ITC equipment, UNDP provides concrete tools for State institutions to tap into the potential of e-governance in order to continue delivering on their core government functions to bolster the rule of law, human rights and the delivery of basic services by national and local governments.

Overall, the ability to advance in delayed reform areas in Guinea-Bissau is key to managing comprehensive recovery for the post-COVID-19 period, ensuring increased political stability, and strengthening rule of law institutions while creating the basic conditions for a sustainable and inclusive economic growth.