As Ethiopia stands by the side of Africans at these trying times, the global community has also stood by the side of Ethiopia. We do not know when and how the microscopic creatures mutate to attack the human being. The reality is that countries in the world had been visited by the creatures, in the past, outbreaks such as SARS (2002), H1N1 influenza (2009), MERS-CoV (2012), H7N9 influenza (2013) and Ebola (2014) have devastated humanity and the economy.
Several African countries were hard hit by Ebola just to cite. Ethiopian physicians had shown solidarity shouldering the great mission of combating the virus in West Africa. Ethiopia’s support to West Africa focused, among others, on strengthening case management, surveillance, and organization of community care. Those worst times had phased out. And so will the threat of the current COVID-19. And the global community must stand together in mobilizing resources needed to fight the menace of our time, putting disadvantaged African countries at its center.
Africa is unprepared for health disaster of such proportion. The continent’s hardworking population has not for centuries got time to work for their people. From slavery to colonialism and in this very time, brain drain and migration, as well as foreign intervention in local matters, have derailed the continent’s capability. Of course, there are countries in all the subregions that are struggling to play a lead goose role, take Ethiopia in East Africa for instance.
But even countries whose economies are growing fast, the health infrastructure and medical supplies are too dwarf to counter a pandemic that even the most advanced countries fail to control. Of course, the global community is doing its best to help Africa cope with the COVID-19. That is appreciated. And these supports must continue. To this end, the Continental bloc, AU, and Ethiopia have to join forces to mobilize the required resources from the continent and abroad.
The Ethiopian Herald April 10/2020
