The COVID-19 pandemic will likely kill at least 300,000 Africans and risks pushing 29 million into extreme poverty, the U.N. Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) said on Friday, calling for a $100 billion safety net for the continent.
FILE PHOTO: A health worker sprays his headset during a community testing exercise, as authorities race to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease in Abuja, Nigeria April 16, 2020. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde/File Photo
UNECA is also backing a call by African finance ministers for an additional $100 billion in stimulus, which would include a halt to all external debt service. Most of Africa, however, has already mandated social distancing measures, ranging from curfews and travel guidelines in some countries to full lockdowns in others.
Africa’s young demographic - nearly 60% of the population is below the age of 25 - should help stave off the disease. On the other hand, 56 per cent of the urban population is concentrated in overcrowded slums and many people are also vulnerable due to HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malnutrition. However, that is money Africa does not have as the crisis could also shrink the continent’s economy by up to 2.6%.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
More Than 300 Pride Celebrations Have Been Canceled or PostponedSan Francisco is the latest city to cancel its parade.
Read more »
300 people watch cars turn donuts in street during COVID-19 lockdownAround 300 people and up to 150 cars were at the scene in Sacramento, the California Highway Patrol said. One driver was arrested after they crashed into a patrol car while attempting to flee.
Read more »
Potentially habitable exoplanet that is Earth-like in size and temperature was discovered 300 light-years away'This intriguing, distant world gives us even greater hope that a second Earth lies among the stars, waiting to be found,' said an associate administrator at NASA.
Read more »
In Vietnam, There Have Been Fewer Than 300 COVID-19 Cases And No Deaths. Here's WhyVietnam has reported no deaths from COVID-19 and just 268 confirmed cases. Experts say that's because of the country's experience dealing with prior pandemics and early implementation of social distancing — as well as the muscle of an authoritarian state.
Read more »
NIH to launch public-private partnership to speed COVID-19 vaccine and treatment optionsNEWS: HHS will oversee the launch of a new public-private partnership to develop a coordinated, national research response to accelerate treatments & vaccines candidates for the COVID19 response. More from NIH:
Read more »
Americans Are Skeptical Of The Government — Except When There’s A CrisisWhen Americans feel anxious about threats like infectious disease, they are more likely to trust government officials and support policies they think may protect them—but that does not mean views of the government will improve over the long term.
Read more »