FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 15, 2021

Washington, DC – On Thursday, a coalition of dozens of organizations, including the Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN), sent a letter to President-Elect Joseph Biden urging him to support a global response to the Covid-19 pandemic. In the letter, the coalition stresses the importance of US support for the issuance of at least two trillion in Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) by the International Monetary Fund which the current Administration has been blocking. In addition to the issuance of the SDRs, AFJN also calls on the Biden Administration to ensure that mechanisms of transparency and accountability are part of any aid package thus making sure that vulnerable populations and those living in poverty will receive the benefit from these funds.

Jacques Bahati, Policy Analyst of the Africa Faith and Justice Network, and a leader in the Global Response to Covid-19 Coalition says:

  • “The IMF is ready to issue money to its members in the form of Special Drawing Rights, but the US has opposed the move in spite of the fact that it does not cost anything to US taxpayers. Not every country can offer economic stimulus to its people and African countries can use SDRs to buy vaccines with these funds.
  • “We know that the COVID-19 pandemic is not close to being over within the US and around the world. With globalization, it is imperative that there is a global response to this pandemic. No country is safe if COVID-19 exists anywhere in the world.
  • “We see the toll taken on US doctors and nurses who have state-of-the-art facilities to treat this virus. Imagine the burden on African governments whose financial stability was already heavily burdened by debt payments and interest. Debt relief and debate forgiveness will help African countries recover from the financial impact of COVID-19 and prevent further loss of African lives.”

Read the coalition letter to President-Elect Biden

Watch AFJN’s video “COVID 19 Global Response a Must”

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The Africa Faith and Justice Network is a faith-based, non-partisan coalition of 29 US-based religious communities of men and women. Inspired by the Gospel and informed by Catholic Social Teaching, AFJN seeks to educate and advocate for just relations with Africa and to work in partnership with African peoples as they engage in the struggle for justice, peace, and the integrity of creation.
www.afjn.org

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Available for Phone and Virtual Interviews:
Jacques Bahati, Policy Analyst, Africa Faith and Justice Network
bahati@afjn.org | (m) 847-334-3614