UN Secretary -General, Antonio Guterres , warned that millions of people could be pushed into extreme poverty in Africa due to the coronavirus pandemic and called for “ global solidarity ” with the continent .
“ The pandemic threatens African progress . It will aggravate long -standing inequalities and heighten hunger , malnutrition and vulnerability to disease ,” Guterres said in a statement accompanying a UN study with recommendations for the African continent .
While he congratulated Africa for responding swiftly to the pandemic , which has claimed more than 2 ,500 lives across the continent , Guterres noted that “ as of now , reported cases are lower than feared .”
“ African countries should also have quick, equal and affordable access to any eventual vaccine and treatment , that must be considered global public goods ,” he said in his statement .
Since the pandemic is still in its “ early days ” in Africa, Guterres stressed that “ disruption could escalate quickly . ”
“ Global solidarity with Africa is an imperative – now and for recovering better ,” he said .
Among his recommendations , Guterres urged “ international action to strengthen Africa’ s health systems , maintain food supplies , avoid a financial crisis. ”
It is also necessary , he added , to “ support education, protect jobs , keep households and businesses afloat , and cushion the continent against lost income and export earnings . ”
Guterres called for “ more than $ 200 billion as additional support from the international community ” to help Africa recover from the pandemic.
He said he was also advocating “ a comprehensive debt framework – starting with an across -the -board debt standstill for countries unable to service their debt .”
( AFP )
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