UN appeals for USD 6.7 billion to fight virus in poor countries

The United Nations called on governments, companies and billionaires on Thursday to contribute to a USD 6.7 billion fund for immediate needs in fighting the coronavirus pandemic in vulnerable countries, warning that a failure to help could lead to a "hunger pandemic", famine, riots and more conflict.

UN humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock said "COVID-19 has now affected every country and almost every person on the planet". He said the UN's initial USD 2 billion appeal unveiled on March 25 was being increased because there is already evidence of incomes plummeting and jobs disappearing, food supplies falling and prices soaring, and children missing vaccinations and meals.

He added that the peak of the pandemic is not expected to hit the world's poorest countries for three to six months.

Lowcock said in a video-briefing launching the new appeal that the poorest countries face "a double whammy" -- the health impact of COVID-19 and "the impact of the global recession and the domestic measures taken to contain the virus".

"We must be prepared for a rise in conflict, hunger, poverty and disease as economies contract, export earnings, remittances and tourism disappear, and health systems are put under strain," he warned. "Lockdowns and economic recession may mean a hunger pandemic ahead for millions."
"We are facing famine of biblical proportions," he said. "We can avert famine if we act and we act now."
"Wealthy countries will need to make significant one-off increases in their foreign aid commitments," he said on Thursday. "And international financial institutions will need to change lending agreements with vulnerable countries."