New York, USA/Geneva
25.03.2020.
United action to respond to the “unprecedented threat” of the coronavirus pandemic
The Lutheran World Federation (LWF), together with other organisations, has joined the United Nations’ call for donations to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic. The UN is asking that 2 billion dollars be donated to support the most vulnerable countries in their fight against the virus.
This is the first time the UN has made a worldwide appeal; usually the UN focuses on individual countries or regions. The LWF has been involved in the creation of this worldwide appeal through its Humanitarian Response committee.
“Covid-19 poses an unprecedented threat that all of humanity must fight,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres. He warned that, by leaving the most vulnerable countries to fight the virus alone, the disease could become entrenched in socially critical regions, from which, as a result of mutation, it could mutate and continue to affect the world in the years to come.
Concern about refugee camps
The UN expresses concern for people in countries with fragile healthcare systems and densely populated refugee camps, where health protection measures, even ones such as social distancing and washing hands with clean water and soap, are difficult or impossible to carry out. The response to the call for donations will be coordinated by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee, which is part of the coordination mechanism of all UN agencies. This committee is represented by the institutions involved in coordination. The Lutheran World Federation participates through its Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response.
“The world is facing such an enormous challenge that none of us can overcome it alone. Cooperation is essential if we want to reach those who are at the greatest risk and who need help,” said Maria Immonen, director of the LWF’s humanitarian arm, World Service, and at the same time deputy chair of the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response.
“As an important UN partner in worldwide humanitarian action, the LWF is involved at several levels. As deputy chair of the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response, I take part in worldwide coordination planning meetings together with the heads of other inter-agency committees and UN agencies. Our goal is to ensure that the work of each sector is planned and implemented in ways that increase the effectiveness of joint action.”
Strengthening the LWF’s hygiene and [health] protection work
The Lutheran World Federation, being the largest implementing partner organisation of UN activities, has already issued a call for donations. All the work that the LWF World Service does in connection with Covid-19 will be carried out in coordination with the UN system. The LWF plans to increase the number of activities that take into account the specific nature of the Covid-19 problems: providing water and sanitation, education and awareness-raising, psychological support and child protection. Although the virus affects children less than older people, the conditions of pandemic containment and the measures applied put children at risk.
“Children without parents, or with parents who are ill, are at serious risk of being exposed to violence or neglect. We must ensure that the work aimed at stopping violence within families and communities also continues, because this pandemic adds stress and fear for many who are already in very, very fragile situations,” explains Immonen. LWF staff also need support and health protection measures so that they can continue their work.
A call to pray for those on the front lines
The LWF calls on congregations around the world for spiritual support and prayer. “Pray for those who cannot raise their own voice, who are vulnerable to such an extent that we, who live in the northern hemisphere, cannot imagine it, for those whose lives are still affected by the enormous hunger caused by locusts, drought or war,” says Immonen.
“We ask you to intercede for our staff, that they remain strong, full of hope and compassion, even when they themselves are in difficult situations.”
Donations as part of this campaign can be made on the Lutheran World Federation website https://www.lutheranworld.org/donate-covid19-impact-reduction
Source: The Lutheran World Federation news
Photo: UN, Jean Marc Ferré