Saarc unites to combat COVID-19

In a significant move to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, the Saarc countries yesterday agreed to work together, create an emergency fund and share expertise, data and best practices. 

They also agreed to hold a health minister-level videoconference at the earliest and take forward the initiative, fearing the COVID-19 could result in serious consequences if a coordinated and collaborative approach is not taken at the critical juncture of time.

"We all agree that we are facing a serious challenge. We do not as yet know what shape the pandemic will take in the coming days. It is clear that we have to work together," said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi through a videoconference titled "Together we can fight #COVID19" among the leaders of the Saarc nations.

He proposed creating a COVID-19 Emergency Fund based on voluntary contributions from all the Saarc countries, and said India can start with an initial offer of $10 million for this fund.

"Any of us can use the fund to meet the cost of immediate actions," Modi said, adding that foreign secretaries of the Saarc countries, through their embassies, can quickly coordinate their efforts to finalise the concept of this fund and its operations.

Joining the videoconference, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called for a strong collaboration among the Saarc nations in devising a collective strategy and mobilising resources in combating coronavirus.

"We need to devise a strong strategy for the region to combat this public health threat and to protect our citizens," she said from the Gono Bhaban.

She suggested that the Saarc Secretariat should coordinate the regional collaboration on fighting coronavirus for the safety and security of the people in the region.

Hasina said Bangladesh is ready to share its capacity and expertise as well as the best practices with other Saarc countries, if required.

She proposed establishing an institution in Bangladesh to prevent and fight public health threats in the region in future.

Hasina thanked Modi for initiating the videoconference and suggested that the regional dialogue should continue involving health ministers, health secretaries and relevant health experts to discuss specific areas of cooperation.

"Southeast Asia regional director of the World Health Organization may be invited to these videoconferences," she said.

Hasina also thanked the Indian PM for bringing 23 Bangladeshi students from China's Wuhan along with Indian students and hosting them during the quarantine period.

The videoconference took place two days after New Delhi proposed developing a common regional strategy. More than 6,000 people died and over 160,000 were infected with the virus across the globe as of yesterday. The WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, 2020.

Saarc couldn't hold any summit after 2014 due to tussles between India and Pakistan. The last summit, scheduled to take place in Pakistan in 2016, was cancelled as India withdrew from it after the 2016 Pathankot attack in Indian Kashmir. New Delhi accused Islamabad of orchestrating it.

At yesterday's video conference, Modi said the Saarc countries can respond best by coming together, not growing apart; through collaboration, not confusion; preparation, not panic.

He explained that South Asia has so far recorded fewer than 150 cases, but the fact that it is home to nearly one-fifth of all humanity and densely populated, it has significant challenges in terms of access to healthcare facilities.

"Our people-to-people ties are ancient, and our societies are deeply inter-connected. Therefore, we must all prepare together, we must all act together, and we must all succeed together," Modi said at the 90-minute videoconference beginning at 5:30pm.

He said India is also assembling a Rapid Response Team of doctors and specialists in the country, along with testing kits and other equipment, who will be on stand-by, to be placed at the disposal of Saarc countries, if required.

Modi proposed quick arrangement of online training capsules for emergency response teams to raise the capacity of all emergency staff in the region. India could also share its disease surveillance software with Saarc partners to better trace possible virus carriers and the people they contacted.

He also suggested using the existing facilities, like the Saarc Disaster Management Centre, to pool in the best practices among all the countries, and creating a common research platform to coordinate research on controlling epidemics within South Asia.

"We can also ask our experts to brainstorm on the longer-term economic consequences of COVID-19, and how we can insulate our internal trade and our local value chains from its impact."

The Indian PM said Saarc should develop common Pandemic Protocols which can be applied on all borders as well as within borders to prevent infections from spreading and keep internal movements free.

Welcoming the initiatives suggested by Modi, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani proposed a common framework for tele-medicine to combat the virus.

He also urged all the Saarc nations to keep an eye on the evolving situation.

Pakistan PM's Special Assistant on Health Zafar Mirza said, "No nation can afford to be unresponsive to the situation in wake of coronavirus outbreak."

"We share common regional concerns on COVID-19; while hoping for the best, we have to prepare for the worst," said Mirza.

He further said all restrictions should be lifted in Jammu & Kashmir to deal with the coronavirus threat.

Taking part in the videoconference, Maldivian President Ibrahim Solih welcomed Modi's suggestion for setting up COVID-19 emergency fund.

He backed a coordinated approach to deal with the virus.

Solih also mentioned that the Maldives has already been affected due to a decline in the number of tourists and fall in businesses.

Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said Saarc leaders should devise a mechanism for the economies in the region to tide over problems posed by coronavirus.

"I propose setting up of Saarc ministerial-level group to deal with issues related to coronavirus."

Joining the videoconference, Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli said, "Our collective efforts will help us devise a sound and robust strategy for the Saarc region to fight coronavirus."

He underlined the importance of effective mobilisation to control the spread of the virus.

Bhutanese PM Lotay Tshering said, "[It is] important for all of us to be on the same page to combat coronavirus."