Risk to the poorest in the world

A THIRD of people in some of the world’s poorest communities are unable to take basic measures to guard against Covid-19 – including washing their hands, a report found.

The survey by UK charity Street Child took responses from more than 12,100 families in vulnerable and marginalised communities.

While 97 per cent said they had received some information about Covid-19, they could not take preventative measures in line with WHO advice due to a “lack of means and opportunity”.

Street Child’s CEO Tom Dannatt said: “Covid-19 is having a devastating impact on the world’s most vulnerable communities.

“With schools closed, a lack of access to basic prevention measures such as soap and water, and a very real risk of extreme hunger and even starvation, children and families are in the midst of a crisis that many will never recover from.”