Aid from top donors drops as need soars
A new snapshot of the frantic global response to the coronavirus pandemic shows some of the world’s largest government donors of humanitarian aid are buckling under the strain: Funding commitments, for the virus and otherwise, have dropped by a third from the same period last year, according to a study by the United Kingdombased Development Initiatives.
At a time when billions of people are struggling with the pandemic and the ensuing economic collapse — on top of longrunning disasters like famine, drought or unrest — more, not less, money is urgently needed. New virus protection equipment must be bought for almost everything, from maternity wards in African villages to women’s shelters in Syrian refugee camps.
During the first five months of this year, overall aid commitments from the largest government donors were $16.9 billion, down from $23.9 billion in the same period last year, according to the new analysis, which drew on data from the United States, the United Kingdom, European Union institutions, Germany, France, Canada and others.
BRAZIL Leader tests positive again
Brazil’s government says President Jair Bolsonaro is still testing positive for the coronavirus following his July 7 announcement. The government says he remains in good health. Bolsonaro repeatedly dismissed the disease as a “little flu” and often mingled in crowds, sometimes without wearing a mask. He is treating his COVID19 with the antimalaria drug hydroxychloroquine, although it has not been proven effective against the virus and can be dangerous for some people. Brazil’s government says the country has recorded more than 2 million confirmed cases and more than 81,000 deaths. That’s second only to the U.S. in both categories, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.
AUSTRALIA Record cases in hardhit state
Australia’s hardhit
Victoria state reports a record 484 new COVID19 cases and health authorities warn that numbers could continue to rise. Face masks will become compulsory from Thursday for residents in lockdown regions when they leave their homes. The nation’s tally of 502 new COVID19 cases on Wednesday was its largest ever. All but 18 of the new cases were in Victoria state.
LEBANON Surge causes hospital crisis
Long considered among the best in the Middle East, Lebanon’s hospitals are cracking under a financial crisis, struggling to pay their staff, keep equipment running or even stay open amid a surge in coronavirus cases. Private hospitals warned they may close.