简体中文
Nearly three billion of the world's poorest population should immediately receive a temporary basic income to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. As infection numbers spike in developing countries, measures to protect the vulnerable population are "urgently needed," said a report released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Thursday.
Funding of 199 billion U.S. dollars per month would provide 2.7 billion people living below or just above the poverty line in 132 developing countries a temporary basic income and the "means to buy food and pay for health and education expenses," the report said.
The coronavirus is spreading at a rate of more than 1.5 million new cases per week in many poorer nations with debt costs crowding out health and social expenses. In this context, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for a standstill for all developing economies.
A woman holds a sign that reads "their richness is our poverty" during a protest demanding resources for the poor and vulnerable amid the coronavirus lockdown in Buenos Aires, Argentina. /Reuters
Those countries are supposed to spend 3.1 trillion U.S. dollars in debt repayments this year, and the UNDP said the proposal would allow them to briefly re-purpose the funds to service their debt and address the damage caused by the crisis.
The six-month plan would require 12 percent of the expected total financial response to the pandemic in 2020, which is equivalent to one-third of what developing countries owe in external debt payments this year, the UNDP said.
The virus has brought havoc to the developing world where millions work in the informal economy with little access to government welfare or other support.
An Indian fruit vendor uses a plastic sheet to protect his stall from rain in Hyderabad, India, July 23, 2020. /AP
"Unprecedented times call for unprecedented social and economic measures," said UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner.
"Bailouts and recovery plans cannot only focus on big markets and big business. A Temporary Basic Income might enable governments to give people in lockdown a financial lifeline."
UN projections have warned the virus could kill 1.67 million people in 30 low-income countries.
The crisis has left tens of millions unemployed around the world and crippled global commerce, prompting the European Union to approve an unprecedented 750 billion euro (858 billion U.S. dollars) aid package for its hardest-hit member states earlier this week.
UNDP is the socioeconomic lead for the UN system on COVID-19 recovery and is implementing social and economic recovery strategies in countries across the world.
(CGTN)
