President Farmajo confident Somalia will beat COVID-19

Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has expressed confidence that is country will defeat the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I firmly believe our nation shall overcome uncertainties at critical times such as now during this COVID-19," Farmajo said on Sunday.

The president said that the Horn of African nation has a responsibility of providing for its less fortunate citizens during the tough times.

His remarks came following a government provision of supplies to Somalis affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, ahead of the Ramadhan period.

"The government has for the first time, no matter how little, supplied aid amongst the less fortunate citizens and members of the society to the best of its ability," Farmajo said. "The month of Ramadhan is approaching and the current COVID-19 situation has affected most people's lives and livelihoods. Therefore, having the government provide assistance at critical times that is something I can proudly say is a great milestone and a show of progress."

Somalia is one of 52 African countries that have recorded cases of COVID-19. The continent's confirmed COVID-19 cases have surpassed 20,000, with over 1,000 deaths. Over 4,600 patients have successfully recovered.

The government suspended international flights and bolstered health surveillance at its entry points in a bid to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

Globally, confirmed cases of COVID-19 have exceeded 2.34 million, with the death toll surpassing 161,000, according to U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.

Source(s): Somalia Presidency