If coronavirus sweeps across Asia, Africa, and South America next, MILLIONS could die… because in many countries, people simply can't afford to stay home or get the basic health care they need! But G20 leaders are meeting today -- if we urge them to forgive the debt of the world’s poorest nations, we can ensure these countries use this precious money to save lives right now! Once 1 million join, we’ll plaster our call across leading newspapers. Sign now!

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[link removed] Dear friends,

This is a terrifying time for us all, but it could get much, much worse.

If coronavirus takes over some of the world’s poorest countries in Asia, Africa, and South America, MILLIONS of people could die.

People crammed into slums, overcrowded hospitals, little money to help the poor. In many of these places, people simply can't afford to stay home or get the basic health care they need!

But G20 leaders are meeting today to work out a global response to this crisis. Experts are asking them to offer debt relief to the world’s poorest countries, allowing that precious money to save lives. That’s exactly what is needed right now, and it’s on us to ensure our leaders make it happen!

Let’s join this global call to contain this deadly wave -- when 1 million sign, we’ll plaster our call across leading newspapers. Sign now!

G20: Forgive the debt of the world’s poorest to fight coronavirus
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Poor countries worldwide are saddled with billions of dollars in debt to rich countries and institutions like the IMF. But right now, it makes much more sense for them to inject this cash into their healthcare systems and to help their people stay at home so we can stop this virus spreading.

Pakistan and Ethiopia have already called for debt relief, and even the World Bank has asked G20 leaders to offer debt relief to the world’s poorest countries so they can spend their precious resources on the coronavirus pandemic.

Leaders have agreed to this before, but it took huge public pressure. In 2005, G8 finance ministers cancelled the debt of the world’s 18 most heavily indebted countries to the amount of $40 billion! And after Ebola, the IMF cancelled $100m of debt for the world’s worst-hit places.

So, let’s make this call massive, before it’s too late! This is a global crisis and we’ll only beat it if countries everywhere can contain the virus. Sign now and let’s urge G20 leaders to urgently forgive debt and save lives!

G20: Forgive the debt of the world’s poorest to fight coronavirus
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Tragedy can birth some of the most beautiful moments of our time, but only if we take this time to join hands. After World War II, major powers wrote off most of Germany’s debt and the United Nations was created for international peacekeeping. We can create something visionary from this crisis, but we need to urge our world leaders to rise and be the heroes this moment needs. Let’s do it together.

With hope and determination,

Sarah, Alaphia, Christoph, Alice, Diego, Risalat, Oscar, Nell, Bert, and the rest of the Avaaz team.

More information:

The Next Wave (Foreign Policy)
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Bill Gates warns of 10 million deaths as Coronavirus spreads to Africa (The Daily Telegraph)
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Urgent call to head off new debt crisis in developing world (The Guardian)
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World Bank, IMF urge debt relief for poorest countries
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