•Let it be known that world’s most vulnerable people are not alone
It was soon after daybreak and everyone was on the line waiting for his/her turn to get into the buses. Each bus wouldn’t take onboard more than thirty occupants because of the strict orders the government passed in the state of emergency on the wake of the COVID-19 impacts. The government is trying to shield citizens against the disease by all means possible and the people are in anxious frame of mind as they have to win bread for themselves and their families.
These commuters came all the way from their homes to the main street probably fighting the hyenas “Get away from me!” And they still face a long queue because the Nation is buckling under a serious threat posed by the COVID-19 threatening to spread at a breakneck pace unless checked in good time through precautionary measures.
One guy came and barefacedly took the first row of the lion telling the people behind him something that they would never listen to except one individual who was near to discuss the issue. But the others at the back row kept on complaining and shouting. They would say “Hey you, we have been standing here for hours and you would just get awake late in the morning to come and have a preferential treatment! Who do you think you are?”
So much argument went on. But after listening what the guy would have to say and taking into account his badges, they allowed him to hop on to the bus. He was a healthy worker and he was supposed to be on the bus.
People have been in stress after the outbreak of the pandemic. Despite the overall fear caused by COVID-19 and transportation problems people and nations are still struggling to maintain their economy.
Meanwhile, governments and other concerned bodies are telling the public that this is the time to embrace solidarity and listen to one another. Many Ethiopians are displaying commitments as they prove putty in needy hands. They as well are backing up the government’sCovid-19 – combating strategies to tackle the spread of COVID-19. They are contributing support in cash and kind, which is a showcase of solidarity and heeding each other words in times of crisis.
On the other hand, supporting the UN Secretary-General’s call for solidarity and urgent action in response to the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19, an initial group of prominent women has recently joined a global advocacy effort to save lives and protect livelihoods, urging leaders in all countries, across all sectors, to address the human crisis of the pandemic.
Convened by United Nations (UN) Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, “Rise for All” initiative has brought together women leaders to mobilize support for the UN roadmap to tackle the development emergency, as laid out in the United Nations Framework for the immediate socio-economic response to COVID-19: Shared responsibility, global solidarity and urgent action for people in need, were issued.
Being one of the women leaders on the forefront to pursue this initiative President Sahilework Zewde of Ethiopia, said the globe is facing a common enemy which could be vanquished solely by bringing the full force of humanity together. “The solutions can be found right here within our communities, who know better how badly their lives have been impacted,” said the President stressing the need for robust international cooperation and not international competition.
Amina for her part said, in an unprecedented manner in human history, women are on the frontlines of COVID-19 and bearing the brunt of this human crisis. “It is time for us to raise as women leaders, taking action to conquer the pandemic and come out stronger so as to keep the world on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.”
Henrietta Fore, UNICEF Executive director, also noted that the UN’s response to COVID-19 and recovery fund is the chance to unite the world around the common goals; to support the world’s most vulnerable people.
“Rise for All” is a new initiative that brings together women leaders to mobilize support for the UN Recovery Trust Fund and the UN roadmap for social and economic recovery, as laid out in the new United Nations Framework for the immediate socio-economic response to COVID-19.
Together, the women are supporting the United Nations’ call for an extraordinary scale-up of international support and political commitment to “build back better” and ensure that people everywhere have access to essential services and social protection. This includes support for the UN COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund an inter-agency mechanism designed to help those countries and people most exposed to the economic hardship and social disruption the pandemic has caused.
The Fund aims to mobilize USD1 billion over the first nine months, and USD2 billion over two years, to support low-and middle-income countries, including Small Island Developing States and vulnerable groups such as women and children who are disproportionately bearing the socio-economic impacts of the pandemic.
The Netherlands announced an initial contribution of 15 million Euros (USD16.6 million) to the Fund, following in the footsteps of Norway and Denmark, who have thus far pledged 150 million Norwegian Krone (USD 14.1 million) and 50 million Danish Krone (USD7.3 million), respectively.
According to the UNDP Communication Division, more women leaders, including from the political, multilateral and business sectors, are expected to join Rise for All, adding their voices in support of the United Nations roadmap for social and economic recovery, and to advocate a fully funded COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund over the coming weeks.
The women leaders also stressed that it is the time, which governments, every country and global institution to stand up and let the world’s most vulnerable people know they are not alone. Thus, people who are standing on the long lines and waiting for transportation have to keep their solidarity with patience and listen to one another keeping in to account that they are not alone.
The Ethiopia Herald May10,2020
BY HENOK TIBEBU
