Is COVID-19 a real threat to Global Peace and Security?

The World was facing several challenges, but life was almost routine, and people were getting used to crises like Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Palestine, Kashmir, Yemen, Myanmar Rwanda etc. But COVID-19 was so sudden, and its spread was so quick that the World was not prepared for it. 

 

Confirmed infected cases reached 1,803,633, a death toll of 110,835, is frightening. China was the first country hit by COVID-19 but was brought under control with confirmed cases of 81,907 and a death toll of 3,336. In Europe, the situation is almost crossed the peak but caused heavy causalities. The US is the worst-hit country with confirmed cases up to 469,464 and death toll up to 16,711 and yet have not reached the peak.   (Statistics are subject to change over time)      

 

The vulnerability in the developing World is a severe issue, and Pandemic has not hit them so hard yet. Most of the world population is in Asia and Africa. The economic conditions, health infrastructure, and facilities are inadequate in most developing nations. The US, Europe, and China are the rich countries with a strong economy, excellent health care infrastructure, and enough resources yet faced colossal challenges. Imagine, if the outbreak spreads in the developing nations, what magnitude of impact will it be?

 

Secretary-General UN Mr. António Guterres said that heightened solidarity is needed if the World is to defeat the crisis, which he called the "gravest test since the founding of this organization," with Governments already struggling to address rising unemployment and economic downturn.

 

 

In the beginning of lockdown, in some of European countries and America, the panic and fear was very much visible. People were stocking the grocery and over-buying, resulted in a shortage of supply as compared to demand. Some cases of quarrels and price hikes were reported. Especially in the US, people were buying Guns and Ammunition in fear of civil war.  

 

Developed and Civilized World has faced peace and security issues, what about the developing World?  The outbreak might be more lethal in the developing nations, the loss of lives will be much more, and the economic loss will be beyond recovery. Poverty and hunger might cause more crimes and violence, leading to disturb the law and order situation. It may endanger global peace and Security.

 

Secretary-General UN: "But the pandemic also poses a significant threat to the maintenance of international peace and security - potentially leading to an increase in social unrest and violence that would greatly undermine our ability to fight the disease," he warned, later stating that the Council's engagement will be critical to mitigate these implications. Indeed, a signal of unity and resolve from the Council would count for a lot at this anxious time", he said.

 

Prime Minister Imran Khan has asked the UN and International Community to formulate a joint strategy collectively to fight against Pandemic. It is a global issue, and COVID-19 is already spread all over the World. He is afraid; more people may die due to hunger than COVID-19. The US has allocated a relief package amounting to US Dollars 202 Trillion, while Pakistan can offer only US Dollars 8 Billion relief package. 

 

Next expected target of COVID-19 is Asia and Africa. While the capacity of most developing countries is not enough. If the global community may not come forward and outreach them proactively, the disaster might be immeasurable. And leads to crimes, terrorism, wars, etc., and result in severe threat to global peace and Security.