Only a COVID-19 vaccine will allow a return to ‘normality’: UN chief

UNITED NATIONS, United States – A COVID-19 vaccine may be the only thing that can bring “normalcy” back, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday, hoping for that before the end of the year.

“A safe and effective vaccine may be the only tool that can restore a sense of ‘normality’ to the world, saving millions of lives and countless billions of dollars,” he added during a video conference with the approximately 50 African countries that are members of the United Nations.

He called for its accelerated development and accessibility for all, adding that it must have “universal global benefit” and “allow us to control the pandemic.”

“We need an ambitious effort to ensure that international stakeholders operate through a harmonized, integrated and leveraged approach to maximize the speed and scale necessary for the universal deployment of such a vaccine by the end of 2020,” he insisted.

Guterres said his call on March 25 for $ 2 billion in donations for a comprehensive UN humanitarian response to the pandemic so far had raised about 20 percent of that amount.

Through the World Health Organization, the United Nations has been able to equip 47 African countries with COVID-19 tests, he said.

The UN chief also praised the efforts of various African governments to mitigate the consequences of the pandemic.

He cited Uganda, which has given companies more time to file their tax returns; Namibia, which provides emergency income to workers who have lost their jobs; Cape Verde, which provides food aid; and Egypt, which has reduced taxes on industries.

© Agence France-Presse