The heads of state and governments of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development IGAD have adopted to establish an emergency fund in order to counter the spread of coronavirus in the region.
The pledge was made during the video-conference meeting organized and chaired by the executive secretary, Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu in its headquarters in Djibouti on Monday.
The representatives of the member’s states also agreed to concerted regional response strategy to curb the pandemic.
They called upon the international community for a globally coordinated approach.
“Delighted to have organized #IGADVirtualSummit on #COVID19 today during which the Heads of State & Government decided to adopt a regional response strategy and establish an emergency fund while calling on the international community for a globally coordinated approach.” Dr. Workneh said.
Four of the six-member regional block have confirmed cases related to the virus.
Kenya is the most affected with over 50 confirmed cases in the past week while one has succumbed to the pandemic.
Somalia, Ethiopia, and Uganda have also reported new positive cases but said they are doing all they can to curb the spread.
