Thread by @WHO

Media briefing on #COVID19 with @DrTedros pscp.tv/w/cwfMCTI2MTAy…

"On Monday, the governments of Sweden and Switzerland and the @UN will host a virtual High-Level Pledging Event for #Yemen.

Yemen is the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, with more than 20 million people in need of humanitarian assistance"-@DrTedros

"More than 5 million people are now at risk of famine. And already, half a million children under five could die from hunger in the coming weeks, unless they receive urgent treatment. All of this, even as the already fragile health system has had to deal with #COVID19"-@DrTedros

"This current crisis comes at a time, after years of conflict, when there is now a real opportunity for peace in #Yemen. We have to act on it"-@DrTedros

"Two years ago, generous funding helped hold off famine. It is time to step up again. The situation now is even more grave.

The 2021 Response Plan includes an ask of $3.85 billion. I urge donors to be generous"-@DrTedros #Yemen

"On Wednesday, #Ghana became the first country outside India to receive doses of #COVID19 vaccine from the COVAX Facility"-@DrTedros #ACTogether

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1364554403982802947?s=20

"Just a few hours ago, Côte d’Ivoire received its 1st doses, & more doses will be shipped to more countries in the coming days & weeks, as we move towards our target of starting vaccination in all countries within the 1st 100 days of the year. We now have 43 days left"-@DrTedros

"I would like to thank our COVAX partners at @gavi, @CEPIvaccines and @UNICEF, who have helped bring us to this point, and the Member States who have provided the resources"-@DrTedros #ACTogether

"We have made great progress. But that progress is fragile. We need to accelerate the supply & distribution of #COVID19 vaccines, and we cannot do that if some countries continue to approach manufacturers who are producing vaccines that COVAX is counting on"-@DrTedros #ACTogether

"These actions undermine COVAX and deprive #healthworkers and vulnerable people around the world of life-saving vaccines"-@DrTedros #VaccinEquity

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1365344572507901963?s=20

"Now is the time to use every tool to scale up production, including licensing and technology transfer, and where necessary, intellectual property waivers. If not now, then when?"-@DrTedros #VaccinEquity

"I understand full well that all governments have an obligation to protect their own people.

But the best way to do that is by suppressing the #COVID19 virus everywhere at the same time"-@DrTedros #ACTogether

"It’s also important to remember that although #COVID19 vaccines are a very powerful tool, they’re not the only tool.

We still need to accelerate the distribution of rapid diagnostics, oxygen and dexamethasone"-@DrTedros #ACTogether

"In that regard, we welcome the @EUCouncil’s statement of solidarity today, committing to contributing the European Union’s share of funding to the @ACTAccelerator"-@DrTedros #ACTogether

"We must also remember that for more than a year now, many countries have successfully prevented or controlled #COVID19 transmission without vaccines, and with proven public health measures"-@DrTedros

"On Wednesday, WHO officially launched our Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP) for 2021, which outlines six objectives and the 10 essential pillars of the response"-@DrTedros

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1364888317620346880?s=20

"The 2021 SPRP outlines how WHO will support countries in meeting these objectives & the resources we need to do it. Many countries used last year’s SPRP as the basis for their natl response, adapting & applying it to their own context"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"One of the countries that has averted a major crisis despite the predictions of various models is #Nigeria. With Africa’s largest population, its largest economy & its largest city, what happens in 🇳🇬 affects what happens in Africa"-@DrTedros #COVID19

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1365346271364538372?s=20

"Today I’m delighted to be joined by Dr @Chikwe_I, the Director of #Nigeria’s Centre for Disease Control, and the head of @WHONigeria Office, Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"Dr @Chikwe_I is one of Africa’s – and the world’s – leading public health experts. My brother, thank you so much for joining us today to talk about Nigeria’s experience and response to #COVID19"-@DrTedros

"At these press briefings every week, the 🌍’s media see staff from WHO HQ & our 6 Regional Offices also hold their own briefings. What you don’t see often enough are colleagues in WHO’s 150 country offices, who are supporting countries every day to respond to #COVID19"-@DrTedros

"WHO doesn’t just parachute in to countries when there’s an emergency. Our staff are there every day of every year, working with the government and communities to address the full range of health threats they face"-@DrTedros #WHOImpact #HealthForAll

"So I’m very pleased today to welcome Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo, the @WHONigeria Representative. I send my greetings to all our colleagues in the #Nigeria country office. You have my deep thanks and respect.

I am proud of you all, and #ProudToBeWHO"-@DrTedros

The full remarks by @DrTedros at the #COVID19 media briefing - 26 February 2021 ⬇️
bit.ly/2O4Vpzr