Beirut (Lebanon), August 3: The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in the Middle East and North Africa expressed on Monday its concern about the increasing COVID-19 transmissions in the region.
"The COVID-19 transmission in the region could spark a domino effect with catastrophic health, social and economic impacts," IFRC said in a statement, urging vaccination to be stepped up with reinforcement of protection measures.
The statement reported the greatest number of new cases in Algeria, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia with Tunisia reporting the greatest increase in new reported deaths.
IFRC warned that health systems are on the verge of collapse and the vaccination rates in the Middle East and North Africa region continue to lag dangerously behind.
"Lower rate on vaccination will only prolong the pandemic, not just in the region, but globally. Many countries are facing other vulnerabilities, including conflict, natural disasters, water shortages, displacement, and other disease outbreaks," said Haytham Qosa, head of IFRC MENA Health Unit.
Qosa emphasized the need for global solidarity to ensure equitable vaccine access in the region to reduce the likelihood of variants.
Source: Xinhua
