"UN Proposes International COVID-19 Fund Creation... Norwegian Government Suggests"

"Countries with Inadequate Medical Systems Must Be Supported Through International Cooperation"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Minwoo Lee] The United Nations is expected to establish a fund to support countries without established healthcare systems in preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and treating patients.

According to AFP on the 23rd (local time), the Norwegian government proposed the creation of such a fund. Dag Inge Ulstein, Norway's Minister of Development Cooperation, said, "We are concerned about the impact COVID-19 will have on developing countries with vulnerable healthcare systems," adding, "International solidarity that crosses borders is more important than ever, so the UN should create this fund and contribute to it."

Norway stated that Amina Mohamed, the UN Deputy Secretary-General, warmly welcomed the plan to establish this fund. Although the specific contribution amounts from each country have not yet been finalized, Norway expects the fund to be established as early as this week.

According to AFP's own tally, the current global number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has reached over 324,000 across 171 countries. The death toll has been recorded at a minimum of 14,396. Meanwhile, according to the real-time COVID-19 tracking by Johns Hopkins University in the United States, Norway has 2,385 confirmed cases and 8 deaths.

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