UNITED NATIONS, May 11 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed on Monday said that people and countries rely on the world body more than ever to rise to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"More than ever, people and countries everywhere rely on the United Nations to rise to the challenges of this global pandemic -- a human crisis," Mohammed said at the virtual informal briefing of the Economic and Social Council on "Joining Forces: Effective Policy Solutions for Covid-19 Response."

She added that since the start of the crisis, the UN has mobilized to full capacity through its 131 country teams to immediately support national authorities in developing public health preparedness as well as response plans.

The deputy UN chief noted that going forward, "we will need to keep in mind dual imperatives: to respond urgently to stem the impact of the pandemic, while helping governments and people respond in a way that recovers better, more resilient future."

"We remain guided by the 2030 Agenda, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development. The Sustainable Development Goals remain central to guiding countries on a sustainable track," she said.

Noting that COVID-19 knows no borders, Mohammed said "our response must show borderless solidarity."

"Our immediate priority is to address the needs of the most vulnerable countries and communities who risk being left behind," she added. "Allocation of our resources will pay close attention to the needs of conflict- and disaster-affected countries, least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing states."

Mohammed also noted that measures to protect and stimulate the economy, from cash transfers to credits and loans, must be targeted at women who make up the majority of those in the hardest-hit informal economy, and who are at the forefront of the community response.

"We must also ensure we include children, persons with disabilities and the elderly," she added.