Transcripts of the message of the secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres.
March 23rd, 2020.
Our world faces a common enemy: COVID-19.
The virus does not care abour nationality or ethnicity, faction or face. It attacks all, relentlessly. Menwhile, armed conflict rages on around the world. The most vulnerable – women and children, people with disabilities, the marginalized and the displaced – pay the highest price. They are also at the highes risk of suffering devastating losses from Covid-19.
Let’s not forget that in war-ravaged countries, health systems have collapsed, health professionals already few in number have often been targeted. Refugees and others displaced by violent conflict are doubly vulnerable. The fury of the virus illustrates the folly of war. That is why today, I am calling for immediate global ceasefire in all corners of the world. It is time to put armed conflict on lockdown and focus together on the true fight for our lives.
To warring parties I say: pull back from hostilities, put aside mistrust and animosity, silence the guns, stop artillery, end the airstrikes. This is crucial to help create corridors for life-saving aid. To open precious windows for diplomacy, to bring hope to places to the most vulnerable to Covid-19. Let us take inspiration from coalitions and dialogue slowly taking place among rival parties in some parts to enable joint approaches to Covid-19. But we need much more, end the sickness of war and fight the disease that is ravaging our world.
It starts by stopping the fighting everywhere. Now. That is what our human family needs, now more than ever.
Antonio Guterres
Organisation des Nations Unies
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