International Relief Committee Warns "Without COVID-19 Support, 3 Million Deaths Feared in Vulnerable Countries"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has warned that if emergency support is not properly provided, especially to underdeveloped countries vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 1 billion additional infections and over 3 million additional deaths could occur.

According to CNBC on the 28th (local time), the IRC stated in a report that if financial and humanitarian aid are not delivered promptly to poor countries vulnerable to infection control, the spread of COVID-19 could continue, resulting in more than 1 billion additional infections and over 3.2 million deaths worldwide. Based on models and data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Imperial College London, the IRC estimated that 500 million to 1 billion people worldwide could be infected with COVID-19. Additionally, it estimated that more than 3 million deaths could occur in dozens of countries currently affected by conflict or instability, such as those in the Middle East and Africa.

David Miliband, Chair of the IRC, emphasized, "These numbers should serve as a wake-up call," adding, "The most vulnerable and war-torn countries in the world have yet to feel the devastating impact of COVID-19." He stated, "The key now is that funds must be urgently donated in a comprehensive and flexible manner," and added, "Governments around the world must cooperate to remove barriers to humanitarian aid."

The problem faced by countries vulnerable to COVID-19 is the severe shortage of medical equipment. In Afghanistan and Pakistan, the number of ventilators per 1 million people is less than 10, and Nigeria reportedly has only 0.8 ventilators per 1 million people. Even in Italy, one of the countries with the highest COVID-19 mortality rates, the number of ventilators per 1 million people was 80.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.