Coronavirus: AU appeals for donations for its Coronavirus Response Fund

24 Mai 2020

Nairobi, Kenya,  May 24 (Infosplusgabon) - The African Union Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat is appealing to the public to donate to the continental body's Coronavirus Response Fund that was established on 26 March 2020.

On Africa Day, which falls on Monday, he said that all Africans, people of African descent and friends of Africa are encouraged “give a little” to the fund. A target of $1 million has been set for the day.

The AU said in a statement on Sunday that contributions can be made in any currency and this will be automatically converted into US dollars, which is the original currency of the Fund account.

"This is important because the pandemic threatens to reverse the socio-economic advancements made by Africa in the last 30 years."

The pandemic proves to be more severe on the socio-economic well-being of populations in Africa, AU added.

Also, the Fund will is geared towards boosting the capacity of the Africa Centres for Disease Control (CDC) to support response to public health emergencies across the continent.

Africa CDC was created to support efforts by Member States to prepare for and respond to public health threats across the continent.

Its establishment followed the hard lessons from the Ebola outbreak in West Africa in 2014.

The outbreak caused the loss of thousands of lives and had a heavy toll on the socio-economic well-being of individuals and groups.

Part of the fund will be used to boost the capacity of Africa CDC to fully play its role as a continental public health institution as stated in its statute.

It will support the procurement and distribution of essential coronavirus medical equipment and supplies and mobilise rapid response by Member States.

The AU noted that there is stiff competition on the world markets for the supply of the pandemic response materials.

The fund is managed by a 10-member board of distinguished Africans.

AU said the board members represent each of the regions of the Union -central, eastern, northern, southern, western.

AU Commission Social Affairs Commissioner Amira Elfadil represents the Commission.

As of 23 May, Africa had reported nearly 105,000 cases of infection, nearly 4,000 deaths and 42,000 recoveries.

FIN/ INFOSPLUSGABON/GHI/GABON2020

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