Heads of State and Government of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development or IGAD extraordinary summit deliberated on the regional strategy to combat the spread of the coronavirus in the region.
They appreciated efforts of Abdalla Hamdok and Abiy Ahmed Ali to mobilise support from the international community.
IGAD Chair Sudanese Prime Minister Hamdok noted that the pandemic represented a deep threat to the IGAD region.
He added that it would significantly impact on the economies of the IGAD region and roll back gains made to realize the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Chair emphasized on IGAD Member States developing a collective and coordinated strategy to combat COVID-19 and other diseases in the region.
The Executive Secretary of IGAD stressed the need for a collective regional strategy to combat COVID-19 in the region.
He called for the establishment of an IGAD regional emergency fund for the control of pandemic diseases and for the strengthening of health systems in the region.
The summit asked international community to cancel debts of IGAD states to free up resources to fight the Coronavirus and mobilise support from medical professionals in the diaspora.