UN chief launches $2bn appeal for vulnerable nations with coronavirus

United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres has launched a $2bn appeal to help vulnerable and conflict-torn countries in the Middle East, Asia, Africa and South America tackle the coronavirus pandemic and prevent Covid-19 from again circling the globe.

The UN chief called the amount a “drop in the ocean”, noting that the US Senate is seeking 2 trillion dollars — “1,000 times more” — for the American economy alone.