Thread by @WHO

Media briefing on #COVID19 with @DrTedros pscp.tv/w/cqYzHDI2MTAy…

"The pandemic has reminded all of us of the heroic work that #healthworkers do every day.

Health workers account for an estimated 3% of the world’s population, but account for 14% of all infections with #COVID19"-@DrTedros

"One of WHO’s primary concerns has been to ensure #healthworkers have access to personal protective equipment.

We also advise that health workers should clean their hands regularly with an alcohol-based hand rub, or wash with soap and water"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"And yet new data from WHO and @UNICEF show that 1 in 4 health facilities globally lack basic water services. In the world’s 47 least-developed countries, half of all health facilities have no clean water on site"-@DrTedros

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1338516123998892032?s=20

"This puts #healthworkers and patients at risk from infections of all kinds, makes childbirth much less safe, and drives antimicrobial resistance"-@DrTedros

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1338516452320612352?s=20

"Preliminary estimates show that making sure all healthcare facilities in the 47 least-developed countries have basic water, sanitation, hygiene, waste management and cleaning services will cost an additional $3.6 billion between 2021 and 2030"-@DrTedros

"We know that for every dollar invested in #handhygiene alone, there is a return of 15 dollars.

In other words, investing in water, sanitation and hygiene is not just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do"-@DrTedros

"While the direct health impacts of the #COVID19 pandemic on young people have been generally less severe, youth are disproportionately affected by the long-lasting consequences of the pandemic"-@DrTedros

"Disruptions to education, economic uncertainty, loss or lack of employment opportunities, impacts on physical and mental health, and trauma from domestic violence to name a few"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"More than 1 billion students in almost every country have been impacted by school closures; and 1 in 6 young people worldwide have lost their jobs during the #COVID19 pandemic"-@DrTedros

"Throughout the #COVID19 pandemic, WHO has been working with young people and many partners including UNICEF and UNESCO in several ways.

We have supported and amplified youth-led initiatives on combatting misinformation and mental health"-@DrTedros

"We have engaged young people in co-creating communications materials for young people about reducing the risk of #COVID19 transmission"-@DrTedros

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1338517297036730371?s=20

"We supported the youth-led #COVID19 Youth Survey to assess attitudes & awareness of young people about COVID-19.
We will soon be publishing the results of a global survey about how young people look for and use COVID-19 information online"-@DrTedros

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1338517297036730371?s=20

"Two weeks ago we launched the WHO Youth Council, to provide advice on key health and development issues affecting young people"-@DrTedros #COVID19

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1334902240218406912?s=20

"Today we’re delighted to be taking part in the launch of the Global Youth Mobilization for Generation Disrupted, a new worldwide movement to support young people and involve them in the response to the #COVID19 pandemic"-@DrTedros

bit.ly/3qYRu6i

"This new initiative is being led by what is known as the “Big 6” Youth Organizations: The World Organization of the Scout Movement, @wagggsworld, @WorldYMCA, The World Young Women’s Christian Association, @ifrc, and @DofE"-@DrTedros

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1338518470158413827?s=20

"Through the new Global Youth Mobilization, the Big 6 youth organizations, WHO and the @unfoundation will engage young people around the world in the design of community initiatives to turn around the impact of the #COVID19 pandemic"-@DrTedros bit.ly/3qYRu6i

"We hope that it will become a platform for supporting progress towards other health goals, including universal health coverage"-@DrTedros

"In early 2021, the movement will issue a call for proposals, inviting youth groups around the world to develop youth-led solutions to #COVID19 and an accelerator programme to scale up existing response efforts"-@DrTedros

"$5 million has been allocated to this initiative from the WHO #COVID19 Solidarity Response Fund, powered by the @unfoundation.

The Global Youth Mobilization will also feature the convening of a Global Youth Summit in April 2021"-@DrTedros
bit.ly/3qYRu6i

"Today marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of UNHCR, the UN @Refugees Agency.

Refugees are among the most vulnerable people in our world.

Today we are seeing the largest population movements and displacement since the end of the Second World War"-@DrTedros

"Many refugees and migrants live highly insecure lives on the fringes of society, often in fear and often without access to essential health and other services"-@DrTedros

"To change this situation, it’s vital that all countries include refugees & migrants in national health plans as part of their commitment to #HealthForAll.
Happy birthday, UNHCR. WHO is proud to work with you to improve the health and well-being of all refugees"-@DrTedros

The full remarks by @DrTedros 👇 bit.ly/2WerMwi