Each time the world is confronted with a health pandemic, the poor and marginalized people naturally come under threat. There are no boundaries to where these people can be found. The least developed, under developed and most developed countries have them. However, their numbers vary depending on the country’s economic status or conditions. For instance, in third world and underdeveloped countries where poor people are mostly found, there is increased manifestation of diminished rights which is strongly evidenced in the state of pitiable healthcare delivery. The emergence of Covid-19 exacerbated this situation for many countries by disrupting the entire sphere of economic and social life.
When the first wave loomed, its devastating effect helped reveal other bigger challenges that exists. Despite swift response aimed at curbing the spread of the virus, the poor, marginalized and, people in disparaged communities were disproportionately affected. When death cases surged in parts of Southern Africa and Egypt, there was escalating food insecurity challenges, and dwindling rural household incomes in West-Africa sub-region leading to pervasive huger. In the same vein, people in far to reach communities across the Americas had every aspect of their economic and social life circumscribed.
The second wave of Covid-19, brings to mind the profound ending remarks of UN Secretary General; Antonio Guterres on the Global Humanitarian Response Plan for Covid-19. He stated that: “this is a moment for the world to stand together and save lives and fight a common threat. The only war we should be waging is the war against Covid-19.”
As a Next Generation leader, I am inspired by this ideology and feel it is the greatest legacy the world needs to thrive in this trying times. We stand in the firm belief that within the precincts of the words of UN Sec. Gen., lies the force we all need to rise in solidarity for the poor, the marginalized, the disparaged, and those in far to reach communities across the world.
