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A man wearing a mask as a precaution against the spread of the new coronavirus takes his temperature at a small medical center that specializes in respiratory diseases in Lima, Peru, Wednesday, March 11, 2020.
Martín Mejía / AP
Why the citizens of the world should care
Canadian International Development Minister Karina Gould announced Monday that Canada is committing CAD $ 485 million in new aid to help low-income countries access the vital medical tools needed to fight COVID-19 and end the pandemic: tests, treatments and vaccines.
The committed funds will go to the COVID-19 Tool Access Accelerator (ACT), a pioneering association of global health organizations leading the international effort to develop and distribute COVID-19 tests, treatments and vaccines to low-income countries.
“The faster we can get tests, treatments and vaccines to people, the sooner this pandemic can be contained. Canada’s support of global efforts to find successful medical solutions is a win for all, ”said Karina Gould, Canada’s Minister for International Development, in a press release.
The statement added: “This virus will not be completely eradicated until it is eradicated everywhere. That is why Canada is committed to a robust global effort to end the pandemic and address its devastating social, economic and security impacts. ”
A critical portion of the funding ($ 230 million) will go towards ensuring that those most vulnerable to COVID-19 in the poorest countries can access life-saving antibody treatments to minimize deaths and serious illness, which will also alleviate the pressure on those who are already weak and overloaded. hospitals and extended health systems. This is critical as it will take time for the global supply of vaccines to grow and doses to reach the poorest countries.
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The other fundamental part ($ 255 million) will strengthen the supplies and systems necessary to implement vaccines and treatments against COVID-19 in developing and vulnerable countries, especially in Latin America and the Caribbean.
This may include training for frontline health workers on how to administer vaccines and treatments, the provision of syringes and critical personal protective equipment (PPE), and support in planning and executing mass vaccination campaigns.
Canada will also help Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, develop a mechanism to fairly reallocate vaccine doses through COVAX (the vaccine pillar of the ACT-Accelerator, which Gavi co-leads) either by donation or exchange.
The incredible commitment will save lives and help the world recover better together from the pandemic as soon as possible.
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It also places Canada in the highest tier of countries supporting the ACT-Accelerator, bringing its total pledges to date to nearly 90% of its fair share. On June 27, during Global Citizen’s Global Goal: Unite For Our Future broadcast event, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced one of Canada’s first engagements with ACT-Accelerator.
Since the start of the pandemic, Global Citizen, ONE Campaign, and Results Canada have been campaigning for Canada to direct 1% of the money spent responding to COVID-19 at home toward global relief efforts, including the ACT-Accelerator to alleviate the crises related to hunger, education and poverty caused by the pandemic.
This is not only the right thing to do to save lives and help poorer countries fight the virus and its devastating effects, but it is also the smart thing to do because it will protect our health and economic security at home. New research from the Eurasia Group reveals that for every Canadian dollar you invest in global response and a fully funded ACT-Accelerator, you will earn more than $ 5.60 in economic benefits.
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COVID-19 has claimed the lives of more than 1.5 million people around the world. Furthermore, it is projected to push 115 million people into extreme poverty, and 265 million are expected to face acute food insecurity by the end of 2020. Meanwhile, millions of children are out of school and some never they will return.
That is why it is critical that the world come together to end the pandemic as soon as possible and restore the global promise to end extreme poverty.
Launched in April by seven global partners, ACT-Accelerator is a unique coalition aimed at accelerating global efforts against the COVID-19 pandemic. Its members are working together to develop tests, treatments and vaccines as quickly as possible, while strengthening the world’s most fragile healthcare systems.
But the organization desperately needs financial support from governments around the world. You can join us in asking world leaders to fund the ACT-Accelerator by taking action here.
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