The United Nations’ chief Antonio Guterres appealed Monday for a global ceasefire to protect civilians in conflict zones during the coronavirus pandemic. He warned that if the fighting goes on, we might have an “absolutely devastating spreading of the epidemic”.
“The fury of the virus illustrates the folly of war. That is why today, I am calling for an immediate global ceasefire in all corners of the world”, Gutteres said, without mentioning any country by name.
War-torn Syria has already reported its first case of the virus. Infections have also emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Afghanistan, which are already in dire humanitarian conditions, with fragile health care systems.
“It is time to put armed conflict on lockdown and focus together on the true fight of our lives. Silence the guns; stop the artillery; end the airstrikes”, Guterres said, adding that it was crucial for opening corridors to deliver life-saving aid.
The UN is expected to unveil on Wednesday the creation of a fund dedicated to the international fight against the virus. The organization also said it was working to mitigate the impact of the virus spreading to refugee camps.
“End the sickness of war and fight the disease that is ravaging our world. It starts by stopping the fighting everywhere. Now”, Guterres warned.
UN's Gutteres calls for 'immediate global ceasefire' to focus on COVID-19 fight
EPA-EFE/OMER MESSINGER / POOL
Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), Antonio Guterres attends a press conference on the International Libya Conference in Berlin, Germany, 19 January 2020. According to media reports the participants of the Berlin Libya summit have committed to a UN arms embargo and guaranteed an end of military support for the civil war parties.
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