In the fight against the virus, we are all in this together
Amadou, a key health worker in Guinea, is waiting for vaccines to arrive.
Ubuntu is a simple but profound African philosophy. It is often translated: “I am, because we are.” Ubuntu recognises the worth of every person. It says we must work together to overcome challenges. As we regain freedoms, thanks to the NHS vaccination
Amos 5:24 says, “Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” In a step towards vaccine equality, Mercy Ships has
roll-out, millions of people in low-income countries are
launched an emergency appeal to help meet the funding
now facing a third aggressive wave of COVID-19 with no
shortfall for vaccination delivery across West and Central
vaccination in sight and no possibility of hospital care. In
Africa.
July, the World Health Organisation alerted the world that coronavirus deaths were rising rapidly in Africa, surging by 80% in four weeks. The Delta variant is sweeping through African nations and it’s the poor and the frail who are dying.
Together with Africa
If you’ve had your vaccine doses, you’ll know the relief of
The upsurge in cases across Africa is endangering the lives
feeling that you and your loved ones are safe. The truth is, 8
of the most frail. Their immune systems are weakened, so
out of 10 COVID vaccine doses have gone to people in higher
they are more likely to become seriously ill if they contract
income countries.
COVID-19. The limited number of African key workers are
Meanwhile, less than 2% of Africa’s population are fully
also at risk. People like Amadou - a 46-year-old nurse and
vaccinated. This is an injustice. It’s simply not right that the
beloved Guinean community leader, simply known locally as
poorest in Africa are last in line to be protected against the
‘the doctor’.
virus.
Amadou administered vaccines to babies and continued to care for his patients - despite a large tumour growing in
“ We call for a new global deal for COVID-19 vaccine for all, together with Africa against COVID-19 pandemic and other health challenges.” Dr Pierre M’Pele, Mercy Ships Ambassador for Africa
www.mercyships.org.uk/together
his own throat for over 15 years. Thankfully, Mercy Ships were able to reach Amadou before COVID-19 hit Guinea, and we removed this growth - otherwise his community could have lost the only person they called ‘doctor.’ People living in many African nations with fragile health systems already have little or no access to medical care.
