UN Secretary-General Calls for an ‘Immediate Global Ceasefire’ Amid Ongoing Pandemic

As the global coronavirus spreads across the world, the United Nations (UN) is calling for armed conflict around the globe to cease.

“I am calling for an immediate global ceasefire in all corners of the world,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Monday. “It is time to put armed conflict on lockdown and focus together on the true fight of our lives.”

“To warring parties, I say: Pull back from hostilities. Put aside mistrust and animosity. Silence the guns. Stop the artillery. End the airstrikes,” he added.

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Today I am calling for an immediate global ceasefire in all corners of the world.

It is time to put armed conflict on lockdown and focus together on the true fight of our lives – the #COVID19 pandemic.https://t.co/F6JRA6ekvZ pic.twitter.com/7WgtFMk5GC

— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) March 23, 2020

Guterres said that an end to armed conflict would help create “corridors for life-saving aid” would “bring hope to places among the most vulnerable to COVID-19.”

Additionally, he noted that in countries experiencing armed conflict, healthcare workers are sometimes “targeted.”

“Let’s not forget that in war-ravaged countries, health systems have collapsed. Health professionals, already few in number, have often been targeted.”

Guterres’ comments come as Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the World Health Organization, called for “unity in the G-20 countries” to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

“Political commitment at the G-20 level means a very strong solidarity that can help us to move forward and fight this pandemic in the strongest terms possible,” he added.

Additionally, other officials have urged people to abstain from violence to help ensure that hospitals have enough beds to treat coronavirus patients.