Eva Longoria, Richard Gere, Ciara and Anna Hathaway are among the many celebrities who have urged world leaders to end the coronavirus pandemic.
The world has been plunged into chaos due to Covid-19, which has claimed millions of lives across the globe over the last 18 months.
Rihanna and Beyonce joined those who donated their own money and relief, as well as offering face masks and protective equipment to those on the front line.
Some of Hollywood’s biggest names have now called on those in charge to put an end to the pandemic, by penning an open letter.
CARE, an organisation dedicated to ending poverty, published the notice, which had been signed off by more than 80 stars, including Idina Menzel, Peter Dinklage, Annie Lennox and Laura Linney.
‘An open letter to world leaders on ending the COVID-19 pandemic now,’ it began. ‘None of us are safe until all of us are safe.
‘We call on leaders gathering at the United Nations General Assembly Session to boldly act together to end Covid-19 everywhere. Covid-19 is now a manmade pandemic of apathy.
‘Only 2% of people in low-income countries have received a single dose, leaving the world’s most vulnerable to face Covid with no protection. This situation also lets new variants, like Delta, emerge and ravage the lives of millions.’
The stars called for more vaccines to be available so that ‘70% of the world’ can be fully jabbed by next summer.
‘We are joining with CARE to call on global leaders to make 7 billion vaccine doses available before the end of 2021, and an additional 7 billion doses by mid-2022 to fully vaccinate 70% of the world by next summer,’ they continued.
‘To get this done the world community must also invest in last-mile delivery systems, public education, and frontline healthcare workers to get vaccines from tarmacs into arms.
‘Millions of doses could go to waste because low-income countries don’t have the support they need to get vaccines to vulnerable people.
‘We can save millions of lives – and trillions in further economic damage – by meeting this moment with the resources and political will needed to end Covid-19 for everyone, everywhere. Because none of us are safe until all of us are safe.’
Appearing at the United Nations General Assembly shortly after the letter was published, US President Joe Biden took the opportunity to urge world leaders to focus on ending the pandemic.
Speaking in New York, he said: ‘Today, many of our greatest concerns cannot be solved or even addressed by the force of arms.
‘Bombs and bullets cannot defend against Covid-19 or its future variants.
‘We’ve lost so much to this devastating pandemic that continues to claim lives around the world and impact so much on our existence. We’re mourning more than 4.5million people, people of every nation, from every background.
‘Each death is an individual heartbreak. But our shared grief is a poignant reminder that our collective future will hinge on our ability to recognise our common humanity and to act together.’
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