The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic. The virus has already overwhelmed many countries throughout Europe and America, and now as it sweeps across Africa, fears are mounting that the worst is yet to come.

“The worst of COVID-19 pandemic is yet to come.”  ~ Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed

The threat of the pandemic is on the rise in Ethiopia and over the last few weeks the virus has taken hold amongst communities across the country, with Addis Ababa the epicentre of the pandemic.

As of 29^th June, Ethiopia – with a population of 110 million – has reported 5,846 cases with 2,430 recoveries and 103 fatalities. Since the first case was reported on 13^th March, the Government and partners have been working proactively to respond to the crisis. However, as a greater crisis looms, we will need every help we can get to protect the people of Ethiopia.

We cannot afford complacency – in the first week of June there were three times the number of cases reported during the previous two and a half months and health facilities are already overstretched:

• Intensive care units are rare – there are almost 5,000 active COVID-19 cases with only 30 patients receiving treatment in intensive care units.
• Regional quarantine centres are full or nearing capacity and lack access to personal protective equipment (PPE), electricity, water and food
• There is insufficient testing making effective tracking and coordination near impossible
• Even regular handwashing is difficult – many Ethiopians lack access to running water and girls have to trek for miles to find water for household use and must now fetch additional water for hand-washing as they struggle to keep the lid on the infection in their communities
• Lockdown is not possible in Ethiopia where so many work in the informal economy, often living from cheque to cheque – there is no furlough system

All of the above remain significant obstacles to an effective COVID-19 response.

The existing challenges being faced on a daily basis by families in Ethiopia, who live below the poverty line, will only be magnified the longer this threat looms without the resources to turn the tide.

Your help is urgently needed

In April, the Government of Ethiopia, through the Embassy, launched an urgent appeal to galvanise support from the Diaspora and friends of Ethiopia in the UK. So far, we have seen contributions worth over £70,000 and medical equipment worth over £40,000 donated to the Appeal. Today, we need your help to raise a further £30,000.

Though we understand that it is a difficult time for everyone, we urgently need your generosity and support. Anything you give today can save lives and make a huge difference to medical professionals battling Coronavirus in Ethiopia. Every penny raised will go directly to the Government and its partners working on the ground.

Help us step up our efforts to protect the people of Ethiopia.

Donate today and help support Ethiopia through this crisis.

To those who cannot give at this time, you can show your support by sharing this appeal via social media and with those you know.

The global nature of this terrible pandemic is a humbling reminder of our common humanity and vulnerability, which is why must continue to be there for those who need us more than ever before.

DONATE TODAY. SAVE LIVES.