UNB :
Two years into the pandemic, as many countries are declaring the Covid crisis chapter over, millions of lives are still at stake.
Living with Covid is a privilege that many countries and communities around the world cannot enjoy, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) President Francesco Rocca said.
“This pandemic is not just a health crisis. Entire communities will continue to endure socioeconomic and mental health impacts for years to come. We cannot let Covid become the disease of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable. The global response and recovery must include everyone and focus on building resilient communities and stronger health systems,” he added.
“Ensuring equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics and treatments will not only save lives but will also protect the world against the emergence of new and more dangerous variants. It is the only path to normalcy. None of us is safe until we all are.”
Much of the world lacks the high vaccination coverage, strong healthcare systems or testing capacities to be able to transition to “a new normal.”
Until everyone has access to the same tools to fight and recover from Covid, this crisis cannot be solved and will continue to impact everyone, IFRC said.
In countries like Zambia, where health systems are fragile and rumours around vaccines are spreading fast, vaccine supply is just one of the numerous obstacles.
The Zambia Red Cross Society has set up a mobile Covid vaccination campaign, bringing vaccines directly to people in hard-to-access areas.
Volunteers are mobilising communities for vaccination, raising awareness about the mobile vaccination centres, providing information about vaccines and engaging local leaders as advocates for healthy behaviour change.
In Afghanistan, a new wave of infections is hitting hard, and the country’s health system is struggling to cope.
Afghan Red Crescent is ramping up services at its health clinics across the country and its Covid hospital in Kabul running information campaigns on preventing the spread of the virus while supporting nationwide vaccination efforts.
In the Pacific region, the virus is running rampant in several countries for the first time. This record surge of infections is threatening to overwhelm hospitals and health systems.
In countries like Fiji and Vanuatu, with more than 165 inhabited islands, Red Cross volunteers have been travelling by car, boat and foot to reach remote communities to increase awareness about Covid and get people vaccinated.
The virus has not only thrived on longstanding inequities but also intensified them; pushing families into poverty, and increasing domestic violence, mental health issues, said IFRC.
Women, urban communities and migrants have been disproportionately affected by the devastating socioeconomic impacts, it added. “More than 5 million children have also lost a parent or another caregiver to Covid.”
