Referring to COVID-19 as the world's “common enemy,” Antonio Guterres, secretary-general of the United Nations, called for a global ceasefire amid the pandemic.
ANTONIO GUTERRES
UN Secretary-General
“The virus does not care about nationality or ethnicity, faction or faith. That is why today, I am calling for an immediate global ceasefire in all corners of the world. It is time to put armed conflict on lockdown and focus together on the true fights of our lives.”
He said on-going conflict makes it difficult to bring much-needed medical assistance to some parts of the world.
ANTONIO GUTERRES
UN Secretary General
“Let's not forget that in war-ravaged countries, health systems have collapsed. Health professionals, already few in number, have often been targeted.”
He also appealed to international actors, including the IMF and central banks, to support developing countries, who may not have the medical or economic resources necessary to combat the crisis.
ANTONIO GUTERRES
UN Secretary-General
“The UN must be able to address the peoples of the world and appeal for a massive mobilization and for a massive pressure on governments, to make sure that we are able to respond to this crisis, not to mitigate it but to suppress it, to suppress the disease and to address the dramatic economic and social impacts of the disease.”
After praying the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Francis backed the secretary-general's words, emphasizing the need to help the most vulnerable.
Claudia Torres
