The appointment was online and saw numerous other bodies as co-sponsors.
During the event, several worrying data were illustrated: according to the most updated data of the World Food Program (WFP), the lives and livelihoods of 265 million people in low and middle-income countries will be seriously threatened by the pandemic, with as many as 25 millions of people who have lost or will lose their jobs because of Covid-19.
Furthermore, it has been highlighted that the pandemic has brought to the fore a global system where the social safety, health and social care networks are lacking, if not entirely absent; and the effects of the pandemic only risk amplifying the inequalities between countries and within nations.
The debate examined the problems experienced by the pandemic by the most vulnerable social segments, the good practices implemented by many organizations in their favor, and the options for collaboration between public and private organizations to give future answers to the growing challenges due to hunger, unemployment and inadequate health care.
In this perspective, Fr George Menamparampil also intervened, Coordinator appointed by the Congregation for the emergency management for Covid-19, to illustrate the worldwide solidarity among all the Salesian institutions present in 134 countries.
In addition to explaining the complex but well-established Salesian emergency response mechanism to participants, Fr Menamparampil offered many interesting bits of information: for example, he explained that to date, 243 requests for help have arrived at the Covid-19 Emergency Coordination; that the value of the aid offered amounts to nearly 4.5 million dollars; and that 62 countries have directly benefited (31 in Africa, 5 in South Asia, 4 in East Asia, 16 in Latin America and 6 in Europe).
The type of aid offered was very broad (food, protective devices, prevention campaigns, transport ...), as well as the type of beneficiaries - in any case always among the most humble and at risk - and of the collaborating bodies in various capacities.
"The numbers at stake are enormous: for example, in India alone, we have touched the lives of over 3.5 million people," said Fr Menamparampil in conclusion, adding reassuringly: "This coordination will continue for as long as is necessary."
