COVID-19 is a human crisis, says UN deputy chief

COVID-19 is a human crisis, with far-reaching implications that cut across all aspects of human life. We are seeing a health emergency spreading across the world. We are facing humanitarian emergency causing additional stress and suffering for the world’s most vulnerable, said UN deputy chief Amina Mohammed.

Hyderabad: At a time when coronavirus is spreading far and wide across the globe and brought the normal life to a standstill, United Nation deputy secretary-general Amina Mohammed has termed COVID-19 as a human crisis.

Addressing the Peacebuilding Commission’s virtual meeting on the implications of COVID-19 for peacebuilding and sustaining peace in New York, Mohammed said, "COVID-19 is a human crisis, with far-reaching implications that cut across all aspects of human life. We are seeing a health emergency spreading across the world. We are facing a humanitarian emergency causing additional stress and suffering for the world’s most vulnerable."

"A crisis that is also turning into a development emergency, which is amplifying the gender gap and already pervasive inequalities. And, it risks reversing hard-won development gains and makes the promises of the 2030 Agenda (for Sustainable Development) elusive," she added.

Speaking on political and social unrest across the world, she said, "We must act now — together, and in an integrated way. There is no either-or scenario. We cannot choose to deal with the health emergency alone. Or prioritize the humanitarian response alone. Because we also cannot expect that people choose between a meal or their health."

"As we face COVID-19, the Sustainable Development Goals remain our North Star. In many ways, the pandemic is a tragic reminder of the gaps we continue to face in their road towards 2030, including the insufficient progress in building inclusive economies and stronger institutions."

"Today, we are all together fighting the same enemy. It is a battle against a virus. Our response to it must bring peace and pave the way for lasting solidarity," she further said.