You are here: HomeNews2020 05 05Article 356380

Africa News of Tuesday, 5 May 2020

Source: www.mynigeria.com

LOCKDOWN: African countries 'risk unrest and violence' - ACDC, WHO survey reveals

[Rogan Ward/Reuters] [Rogan Ward/Reuters]

A new survey conducted on behalf of the Africa Centres of Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization has warned that if measures are not adapted to local needs then African countries "risk unrest and violence".

The report, called Using Data to Find a Balance, shows the difficulties of maintaining strict lockdown policies, as well as to help governments map out future policies on how to tackle coronavirus has highlighted the dilemmas that they face.

With over 46,500 cases and almost 2,000 COVD-19n deaths across the continent, the survey carried out in 20 African countries discovered that more than two-thirds of people asked said they would run out of food and water if they had to stay at home for 14 days.

According to the BBC, over half of the respondents said they would run out of money.

"The proliferation of peaceful protests demanding government relief is evidence of the strain some people are already under, and highlights gaps in current responses," the authors say.

They recommend that governments need to communicate effectively with their citizens and properly inform them about the reasons behind the measures that are being taken.

Some African countries, including Nigeria, Uganda, and others have started easing their COVID-19 lockdown in stages.

Source: BBC