He underlined that the virus does not care about ethnicity or nationality, faction or faith, attacking all, relentlessly.

Recalling that armed conflict rages on around the world, He said: “The most vulnerable — women and children, people with disabilities, the marginalized and the displaced — pay the highest price. They are also at the highest risk of suffering devastating losses from COVID-19.”

“Let’s not forget that in war-ravaged countries, health systems have collapsed. Health professionals, already few in number, have often been targeted,” he noted.

“Refugees and others displaced by violent conflict are doubly vulnerable. The fury of the virus illustrates the folly of war,” he warned.

He calls on warring parties to pull back from hostilities, to silence the guns, to stop the artillery and to end the airstrikes.

“This is crucial…To help create corridors for life-saving aid. To open precious windows for diplomacy. To bring hope to places among the most vulnerable to COVID-19.”

He also urged all parties to take inspiration from coalitions and dialogue slowly taking shape among rival parties to enable joint approaches to COVID-19. (ILKHA)