By Kaya 959 News
President Cyril Ramaphosa says Africa cannot overcome the COVID-19 pandemic as long as richer countries have most of the world’s supply of the vaccine.
He says the exclusion of the vaccine to poorer countries will have devastating effects.
Ramaphosa was speaking at a virtual independent panel for pandemic preparedness and response roundtable.
He says there is a need for the world to join hands in fighting the pandemic.
The President says this is not only to prepare for the next pandemic, but to build an equal world.
“We know that it is the virus that causes the disease, but it is human action, but also human inaction that causes the pandemic.
“A vital lesson from [the] coronavirus pandemic is the necessity for collective leadership, collaboration, solidarity, as well as innovation among the countries of the world.”
Global Citizen joins calls for fair vaccine distribution
Global Citizen held its ‘Vax Live: The Concert to Reunite the World’ event at the weekend.
Stars such as Prince Harry, Nomzamo Mbatha, Jennifer Lopez, and Selena Gomez joined calls for equal access to lifesaving COVID-19 vaccines.
“The virus does not respect borders, and access to the vaccine cannot be determined by geography. It must be accepted as a basic right for all and that is our starting point,” Prince Harry said during the concert.
More than 10-million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been pledged.
Global Citizen surpassed its goal for the campaign.
So far, $53.8-million (more than R767 million) in commitments have been made to secure vaccine doses.
