NEW YORK, 11 April 2020, TON: Secretary-General António Guterres said in a special message to religious leaders, “Today, I want to make a special appeal to religious leaders of all faiths to join forces to work for peace around the world and focus on our common battle to defeat COVID19. I do so at a special time on the spiritual calendar. For Christians, it is the celebration of Easter. Jews are marking Passover. And soon, Muslims will begin the holy month of Ramadan. I extend my warmest wishes to all those observing these important MOMENTS. We have always known these occasions to be moments of community. Of families coming together. Of hugs and handshakes and the gathering of humanity. But this is a time like no other. We are all seeking to navigate a strange, surreal world. A world of silent streets. Shuttered storefronts. Empty places of worship. And a world of worry. We are worried about our loved ones who are equally worried about us. How do we celebrate at a time like this? Let us all take inspiration from the essence of these holy occasions as moments for reflection, remembrance and renewal. As we reflect, let us spare a special thought for heroic health workers on the frontlines battling this awful virus – and for all those working to keep our cities and towns going. Let us remember the most vulnerable of the vulnerable around the world. Those in war zones and refugee camps and slums and all those places least equipped to fight the virus. And let us renew our faith in one another and draw strength from the good that is gathering in troubled times as communities of diverse faiths and ethical traditions unite to care for one another. Together, we can and will defeat this virus – with cooperation, solidarity, and faith in our common humanity.”

It is important to mention here that this month the holy month of Ramadam is commencing. The Muslims have been ordered to offer prayers in the Mosques, especially the 'Tarawi' are offered during Isha Prayers in which all the the whole Holy Quran is recited in the presence of the Muslims attending the prayers within the month time. The is followed by the Eid celebrations.

PRETORIA, 2 April 2020, TON: The countries opposition leaders from Zimbabwe, Namibia, Malawi and Botswana claim that the donor countries are allowing food supplies to only on ethnic and religious grounds while other countries are being forced to have only masks and sprays to fight coronavirus COVID-19. Without naming any ethnic group or religion they claimed that for us only military operations have earmarked to carryout out ethnic and religious cleansing.

Meanwhile the United Nations food agency has negotiated a humanitarian corridor to keep food aid flowing in southern Africa after most countries shut their borders to stop the spread of coronavirus. The food agency has planned ship food supplies to South Africa from where it will move to countries including Zimbabwe, Namibia, Malawi, Botswana which face food shortages.

Media quoting Lola Castro, World Food Programme director for southern Africa saying, South Africa had agreed to let vessels carrying food aid land on its shores and move it to countries like Zimbabwe, Malawi, Botswana and Namibia, which face food shortages.Castro told reporters South Africa has agreed to "a sort of a humanitarian corridor" that would help the agency continue its work.

RIYADH, 30 March 2020, TON, WHO: In response to an urgent appeal from the World Health Organization (WHO) and under the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) has signed an agreement for USD 10 million in financial support to WHO for urgent action needed to minimize the spread of COVID-19 by supporting countries with vulnerable health infrastructures. The agreement was signed between KSrelief’s Assistant Supervisor General of Operations and Programs, Engineer Ahmed Al Baiz, and the WHO Country Representative for Saudi Arabia, Dr. Ibrahim El Ziq.

Dr. El Ziq, in a press statement following the signing of the agreement, said that “the ten million dollars provided by Saudi Arabia to the World Health Organization will contribute to the implementation of the COVID-19 National Health Plan. With this contribution, we will purchase preventive equipment for health workers, and laboratory equipment needed for investigations on the virus. The grant will also assist in carrying out scientific research towards developing a vaccine to prevent COVID-19, and will fund the purchase of medications to treat cases of the virus.” He ended his remarks by expressing his appreciation for the Kingdom’s generous ongoing support to crisis-affected countries around the world.

Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Supervisor General of KSrelief, stated that this royal directive reflected the Kingdom’s commitment to applying its significant resources to help alleviate the suffering of all in need. KSrelief, he added, continues to work in cooperation with United Nations agencies and other leading humanitarian organizations to safeguard public health and address a wide range of global humanitarian issues. Dr. Al Rabeeah added his appreciation for this generous gesture from the Kingdom’s leadership, which demonstrates its willingness to act quickly to support for the world community in times of urgent crisis.

Dr. Al Rabeeah also mentioned the extraordinary virtual G20 Summit meeting recently headed by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques; during this summit, the Kingdom also confirmed its commitment towards helping countries affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This leadership, he stated, demonstrated how seriously the Kingdom takes its responsibility to join with the rest of the world in fighting and overcoming the dangerous health and economic effects of COVID-19.

MOGADISHU, 29 March 2020, TON: Somali government has sent 20 doctors to Italy to help contain the spread of COVID-19 amid a increase in deaths.

Somali government spokesman Ismail Mukhtar Omar said the doctors are volunteers from Somali National University, who have been in some European countries.

"The 20 doctors have already been registered in Italy and are expected to team up with some doctors from across the world to help Italy to contain the novel coronavirus," Omar said.

He said the doctors have been sent as part of emergency response team following appeal from the Italian government for international help to contain the virus.

Somalia has so far confirmed three cases of COVID-19, who were all returness from foreign countries. Accordingly, Somali Government has banned all international flights as well as domestic ones as part of the measures to contain the spread of the deadly virus in the country.