Report: Africa risks losing over 300,000 people to deadly Coronavirus pandemic

Over 300,000 Africans might succumb to the deadly Coronavirus pandemic by the times it's completely arrested, a new report published by the Economic Commission for Africa [ECA] shows, citing inadequate preparations in African countries.

With the pandemic now raging through the continent, growth is expected to slow down from 3.2 percent to 1.8 percent, a scenario that will push close to 27 million people to extreme poverty. Most economies in Africa are fragile and depend on donor aid.

Statistics released by John Hopkins University and Africa Center for Disease Control shows that almost 20,000 people have been infected with the disease. Of this number, 1,050 have died while close to 5,000 people have recovered.

Only Lesotho and Comoros are yet to record a single case of COVID-19, the institutions said. Some of the worst affected countries include Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, and South Africa, whose average infections stand at 2,000.

But the figures could surge given that the number of tested cases is far below the bar, a reason why the World Health Organization [WHO] is concerned about the situation. There are few testing kits due to almost dysfunctional healthcare in Africa.

The report, which is set to be tabled in April. 17, says Africa's fragile health system could see additional costs being imposed on them due to the anticipated exponential increase of infections in the coming weeks.

“To protect and build towards the Continent’s shared prosperity, $100 billion is needed to urgently and immediately provide fiscal space to all countries to help address the immediate safety net needs of the populations,” reiterates Vera Songwe, UN Under-Secretary-General, and Executive Secretary, Economic Commission for Africa.

Africa, Ms. Songwe notes, is particularly susceptible because 56 percent of its urban population is concentrated in slums or informal dwellings and only 34 percent of African households have access to basic handwashing facilities.

“The economic costs of the Pandemic have been harsher than the direct impact of the COVID-19. Across the continent, all economies are suffering from the sudden shock to the economies. The physical distancing needed to manage the pandemic is suffocating and drowning economic activity,” she adds.

The small and medium scale enterprises, in which Africa's economies are anchored on, risk unprecedented closure in the event of delayed support, notes the report, which calls for "urgent" measures to cushion the vulnerable population.

Furthermore, the price of oil, which accounts for 40 percent of Africa’s exports has halved in value, and major African exports, such as textiles and fresh-cut flowers have crashed, adds the report.

Tourism, which accounts for up to 38 percent of some African countries’ GDP, has effectively halted as has the airline industry that supports it. Most carriers have suspended flights due to the pandemic.

But to mitigate the crisis, the report has highlighted concerted efforts to keep trade flowing, especially in the essential medical supplies and staple foods with a strong policy push to fight the urge to impose export bans.

It also proposes that intellectual property on medical supplies, novel testing kits, and vaccines must be shared to help Africa’s private sector play its role in the response.

Ms. Songwe also notes that the private sector needs liquidity, but it also needs partners. “That is why we call on the international community to support by injecting more liquidity into our economies,” she adds.

She stresses the need for never-before-seen assistance through innovative financing facilities, stating, “We must build back better, by ensuring that we are climate-conscious in rebuilding and by leveraging the digital economy.”

“Policies put in place to respond to the crisis must be in collaboration with them; we must be firm and clear on good governance to safeguard our health systems, ensure proper use of emergency funds, prevent our businesses from collapse, and reduce worker lay-offs.”

In the East and Horn of Africa, Djibouti leads in terms of infections, with the number surpassing 500. Kenya on its part has so far recorded 254 cases with 10 deaths. Tanzania follows closely with 147 infections and four deaths.

But in what could draw special attention, war-torn Somalia's numbers surged to 116 on Friday, with already six deaths recorded. The country has been receiving medical supplies from UAE, Alibaba Group, Turkey among other donors.

So far, there are 2.2 million infections worldwide. Of that number, 155,000 people have died while 575,000 have since recovered according to statistics by John Hopkins University in the United States.

GAROWE ONLINE