COVID-19: UN Calls For Global Support For Africa, Gives Reasons

United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, on Wednesday called for global solidarity with Africa, warning that the coronavirus pandemic threatens the continent’s progress.

According to Guterres, already, demand for Africa’s commodities, tourism and remittances are declining.

He said that African countries should have equal access to any vaccine and treatment and that they must halt conflicts and address violent extremism, NAN reports.

According to him, Africa should receive 200 billion dollars from the international community as part of its call for a global response package amounting to at least 10 percent of the world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“These are still early days for the pandemic in Africa, and disruption could escalate quickly,” Guterres said in a video message for the launch of a policy brief on the impact of COVID-19 on Africa.

“Global solidarity with Africa is imperative now and for recovering better.

“The opening of the trade zone had been pushed back, and millions could be pushed into extreme poverty.

“We are calling for international action to strengthen Africa’s health systems, maintain food supplies, avoid a financial crisis, support education, protect jobs, keep households and businesses afloat, and cushion the continent against lost income and export earnings.”