WED, APRIL 15 2020-theG&BJournal- The US President shocked the world battling the ravaging effect of the coronavirus pandemic at his Tuesday press briefing, when he announced the US is suspending funding to the global health organisation.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) Secretary General Dr Tedros Adhanom quickly reminded him Tuesday that ‘’ now is not the time to reduce the resources for the operations of the World Health Organization or any other humanitarian organization in the fight against the virus.
‘’The rule of the game is solidarity; solidarity at the national level and solidarity at the global level,’’ he said.
The rest of the world has joined WHO in condemnation of the US President.
Leading Nigerian consultant and dental surgeon, Dr S.O Ebiwei, MON, described Trump’s action as inhumane. ‘’It clearly shows his disregard for the developing world. He has not only targeted WHO for his usual blame game, but African and other developing countries at the receiving end of the deadly coronavirus attack,’’ he said. ‘’His action is simply self-centred, inhumane and insensitive.’’
The European Union (EU) and China today joined the fray, condemning Trump’s decision to pull US funding, which amounts to about $400 million.
The EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrel Fontelles twitted today his deep regret of the US decision. ‘’There is no reason justifying this move at a moment when efforts are needed more than ever to help contain and mitigate the coronavirus pandemic. Only by joining forces can we overcome this crisis that knows no boader,’’ Fontelles tweeted.
CNN Chief International Anchor Christiane Amanpour added her voice in condemnation, saying, ‘’defunding the WHO in the middle of a pandemic is like pulling the plug on firefighters in the aftermath of 9/11.
According to the WHO secretary general, The World Health Organization, have thousands of its staff, is on the front lines, supporting Member States and their societies, especially the most vulnerable among them, with guidance, training, equipment and concrete life-saving services as they fight the virus.
‘’It is my belief that the World Health Organization must be supported, as it is absolutely critical to the world’s efforts to win the war against COVID-19,’’ he said.
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