UN Will Create a Fund to Help Developing Countries Fight Coronavirus

According to the UN Secretary General it is necessary to act decisively now, otherwise the coronavirus may enhance standing in the most vulnerable countries. UN Secretary General António Guterres encouraged providing $ 2 billion to create a special fund aimed at helping world's most vulnerable countries cope with the coronavirus pandemic. “COVID-19 threatens all the humanity, and therefore, all the humanity must fight back,” at today's online press conference. Guterres said. “The actions of individual countries will not be enough.” $ 2 billion will go to the 40 most vulnerable developing countries over the next nine months to prevent the potentially deadly respiratory virus spreading. “If we do not act decisively now, I’m afraid that the virus will enhance standing in the poorest countries, leaving the whole world vulnerable, as it continues to “circle” around the planet, not paying attention to borders,” Guterres said. The UN plan consists of six points, and some of the goals that are supposed to be achieved one can cite: raising people's awareness as to measures aimed at preventing and slowing the spread of the virus; expanding testing and free treatment for people at high risk of complications; financing protection of medical and humanitarian workers. “Our message to all countries is clear: listen to this warning,” Director General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, addressing UN member countries. “Support this plan politically and financially today, and we can save lives and slow down this pandemic spread,” the head of WHO said. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) will coordinate the plan implementation. OCHA head Mark Lowcock stated the office he heads will provide $ 60 million from the internal fund to get started. He called on the world's richest nations to step up and protect themselves from possible pandemic recurrence.