COVID-19 Will Push Millions Of Africans Into Extreme Poverty - UN

The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has said that millions of Africans could suffer extreme poverty due to the coronavirus pandemic.

He said, “The pandemic threatens African progress. It will aggravate long-standing inequalities and heighten hunger, malnutrition and vulnerability to disease."

Antonio commended African countries for their rapid response to the novel coronavirus,  saying 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."

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Guterres has called for a "global solidarity" with the African continent, and that since the virus is still in its early phase on the continent, “disruption could escalate quickly.”

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

He also noted that it is vital to “support education, protect jobs, keep households and businesses afloat, and cushion the continent against lost income and export earnings.”