LONDON: British actor Idris Elba, who was tested positive for COVID-19, has launched a new United Nations fund to help rural communities during COVID-19 lockdown.
The actor and his wife Sabrina Dhowre Elba, gave their support to a fund set up by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), to help stop economic shocks caused by COVID-19 triggering a global food crisis. Elba is also a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations’ IFAD.
With $40 million in UN seed money, a special fund to help small-scale farmers is seeking another $200 million in donations so the coronavirus lockdown doesn’t spark a hunger crisis.
“The fund needs more assistance to carry on the work that is desperately needed to keep food systems operating in rural areas if we are to come out of this crisis together and avoid needless hunger and suffering,” said Elba in a statement.
IFAD’s head Gilbert Houngbo said, “Developing countries are already particularly vulnerable to this pandemic as a health crisis.” He further added, “Unless we act now and act quickly, this will also become a major food and hunger crisis.”
Last month, he disclosed that he had tested positive for coronavirus and had quarantined himself.
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