The African Union (AU) said it is to raise one million U.S. dollars on Monday for its COVID-19 response fund, as the 55-member pan-African bloc marks the Africa Day.
The African Union has created an African Union COVID-19 Response Fund with the aim of strengthening the continental response to COVID-19 and mitigate its socio economic and humanitarian impact on African populations.
Established by the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat in March, the AU COVID-19 Response Fund aims to strengthen the continental response to COVID-19 and mitigate its socio-economic and humanitarian impact on African populations.
“This Africa Day, May 25, all Africans, people of African descent and friends of Africa are encouraged to give a little to the fund,” said the AU statement, reiterating that a target of one million dollars has been set for the day.
Stating that contributions can be made in any currency and this will be automatically converted into U.S. dollars, which is the original currency of the Fund account, the Union has also announced a website, where donation can be made.
Money raised under the Fund will be used to: Mitigate the social, economic and humanitarian impact of COVID-19 in all African countries, Boost the capacity of the Africa CDC to support response to public health emergencies across the continent, Support the procurement and distribution of essential COVID-19 medical equipment and supplies and mobilize rapid response by Member States.
The number of confirmed COVID-19 positive cases across Africa rose to 111,825 as of Sunday morning, the Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said on Sunday.
