Coronavirus Global Response: EU Kick-starts Worldwide Pledging Marathon

The European Union in 10 days will launch a global pledging effort – the Coronavirus Global Response – to raise funds to help in the fight against Covid-19.

The EU’s Coronavirus Global Response aims to support the call of the World Health Organization (WHO) for action to develop fast and equitable access to safe, quality, effective and affordable diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines against coronavirus.

“We need to bring the world, its leaders and people together against coronavirus. In just 10 days, we will launch a global pledging effort. A real marathon,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.

Starting on May 4, countries, organisations and business foundations around the world will be invited to pledge to help reach the target of 7.5 billion euros in initial funding.

“Because beating coronavirus requires a global response and sustained actions on many fronts. We need to develop a vaccine, to produce it and deploy it to every corner of the world. And we need to make it available at affordable prices,” she added.

The Commission is also inviting governments, business leaders, public figures philanthropists, artists and citizens to raise awareness about this global pledging effort. The funds collected will be channelled into three strands: diagnostics, treatments and vaccines.

The countdown to the start of marathon begins today, the first day of the 2020 World Immunisation Week organised by the United Nations. The theme this year is #VaccinesWork for All and the campaign will focus on how vaccines, as well as the people who develop, deliver and receive them, work to protect the health of everyone, everywhere.

Also on May 4, the Commission will also announce the next milestones of a global campaign, which is to kick off an ongoing rolling replenishment.

Find out more about the effort and how to get involved on the Coronavirus Global Response website.