African Union seeks to raise US$1m on Africa Day Moussa Faki Mahamat

Herald Reporter
The African Union (AU) is appealing to all Africans, people of African descent and friends of Africa to “give a little” towards the Covid-19 continental Response Fund, which seeks to raise US$1 million today, as the continent commemorates Africa Day.

Created by chairperson of the AU commission Mr Moussa Faki Mahamat on March 26, the Covid-19 Response Fund seeks to strengthen continental response towards the world pandemic.

In a statement yesterday, the AU said contributions can be made in any currency, which would automatically be converted into the United States dollars, which is the original currency of the fund account.

Some of the areas, which the AU seeks to strengthen in its continental response with proceeds from the Fund include mitigating social, economic and humanitarian impact of Covid-19 in all African countries, boost capacity of the Africa Centre for Disease Control in supporting public health emergencies and support procurement and distribution of essential Covid-19 equipment and supplies.

Owing to the stiff competition on the world market for supply of Covid-19 response materials, the AU said this Fund will support pool procurement of diagnostics and other medical commodities and to support deployment of one million community workers in contact tracing.

“This Africa Day, 25 May, all Africans, people of African descent and friends of Africa are encouraged to give a little to the fund. A target of US$1 million has been set for the day,” reads part of the AU’s Africa Day appeal.

As at May 23, Africa had reported nearly 105 000 cases of Covid-19 infection, nearly 4 000 deaths and 42 000 recoveries.

From these statistics, Zimbabwe accounts for 4 deaths, 56 cases and 23 recoveries.

Africa Day is the annual commemoration of the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now known as the African Union (AU).

The OAU was formed on May 25, 1963. Africa Day is celebrated in various countries on the African continent, as well as around the world.

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