UN Chief Guterres calls for 'unity' among Security Council members amid COVID-19 outbreak

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on April 9 while dressing Security Council on COVID-19 pandemic called for unity. " engment of Security Council will be critical to mitigate peace and security implications of COVID-19 pandemic. Indeed, a signal of unity and resolve from Council would count for a lot at this anxious time," Guterres was quoted as saying in a release published on UN website. 

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Guterres highlighted three priority areas where furr support and action are needed in order to tackle COVID-19 crisis effectively. He mentioned, "First, ensuring humanitarian access and opening corridors for safe and timely movement of goods and personnel.  Second, mobilizing strong and flexible funding for COVID-19 Response Plan and existing humanitarian appeals. Resources for one should t replace or divert from or.  Third, protecting most vulnerable populations and those least able to protect mselves."

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Guterres called for a global ceasefire urging all warring parties to silence guns in order to help create conditions for delivery of aid. He asked countries to open up for diplomacy and bring hope to places among most vulnerable to pandemic. Secretary-General said that his representatives and envoys will continue to eng with conflict actors to help make sure that ceasefire is implemented. 

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Guterres furr ded, " humanitarian community, for its part, has mobilized swiftly in response to crisis in close cooperation with World Health Organization.  Two weeks ago, I launched COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan, focusing on needs in countries alrey facing a humanitarian crisis.   Central Emergency Response Fund has allocated $75 million, and, as of two days ago, Plan h received $396.5 million.'

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Coronavirus outbreak

dely coronavirus infection has claimed more than 95,700 lives across world and has infected over 16,05,000 people globally since it first broke out in December 2019. China was most affected country until last month before Italy and Spain surpassed it to record most number of deaths anywhere in world due to COVID-19. United States, France, United Kingdom, and Iran have also overtaken China in terms of COVID-19 death toll. virus is believed to have originated from a seafood market in China's Wuhan city, epicentre of disease, where animals were reportedly being tred illegally.

(Im Credit: AP)