The United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, is in West Africa and the Sahel for a two-week visit in solidarity with the regions amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mohammed began her mission in Nigeria on Monday where she met with President Muhammadu Buhari.

She later joined the country's Vice-President and U.N. colleagues at a launch of the U.N. Plus Offer, which aims to support government efforts to address the socio-economic impact of the pandemic.

The West African and Sahel regions have reported more than 195,000 confirmed COVID-19 infections with over 2,800 deaths.

During her visit to the regions, Mohammed will highlight how the UN has adapted its operations to support national plans for pandemic response and recovery, while continuing to focus on the root causes of inequalities, according to UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.

"She will emphasize the sustainable development programmes that promote socio-economic recovery, gender equality, intergenerational leadership, resilience, climate action—as well as the delivery of lifesaving humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable", said Dujarric at a press briefing from the U.N. Headquarters in New York.