An urgent need to help all nations overcome COVID-19

The horrifying spread of the coronavirus in India shows why it’s critical we help all nations fight this disease. As long as the coronavirus (COVID-19) rages anywhere, it will remain a threat to everyone.

We must increase medical care and food assistance for poorer nations.

The Biden administration is sending more aid to India to help them cope with the latest outbreak. India needs oxygen, medical supplies, masks and vaccines.

Many more nations will need increased assistance, too.

The pandemic has worsened hunger, and several nations are facing severe food shortages, including Yemen, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Afghanistan and many others.

These nations will be too weakened by hunger to stop the coronavirus. Malnutrition limits the body’s ability to fight off disease.

Aid groups recently sent an open letter to world leaders asking them to increase funding to save at least 34 million people facing imminent starvation.

Congress should increase global food aid, including creating programs that specifically fight infant malnutrition.

They should increase funding to the McGovernDole global school lunch program to at least $300 million year.

Infant feeding and school meals will rescue millions of children from malnutrition worldwide. Defeating malnutrition is crucial now to stopping the coronavirus.

Ending this pandemic requires a global response that is comprehensive and includes food assistance and medical care.