Economics Association of Zambia and Diaspora Collaboration on the fight against COVID 19
THE ECONOMICS ASSOCIATION OF ZAMBIA
For Immediate Release – 2nd April 2020
ECONOMICS ASSOCIATION OF ZAMBIA AND DIASPORA COLLABORATION ON THE WAR AGAINST COVID 19
The African Diaspora Development Institute (ADDI) under the leadership of Ambassador Arikana Chihombori-Quao has embarked on diaspora mobilisation for the purchase of masks, gloves, ventilators and other necessities required to fight and prevent the spread of COVID 19 in Africa. Through an ongoing collaboration with the Economic Association of Zambia (EAZ), Zambia has been chosen as receiving and distribution point for Southern Africa. The EAZ will coordinate this effort with the Diaspora through its New York based Diaspora Chairperson Mr Savior Mwambwa. Further information will be posted on the ADDI and EAZ websites and Facebook pages.
African UNion Ambassador Arikana Chihombori – Quao
The Economics Association of Zambia would further like to inform the general public that due to the ongoing developments with regards to the prevailing COVID-19 global pandemic, the planned summits i.e the Diaspora Wakanda1 Homecoming Summit and the National Economic Summit for the year 2020 will still be held albeit at later dates which will be communicated in due course. Zambia now, more than ever before, needs multisector planning and stakeholder engagement with COVID 19 creating a huge dent in both the global and national economic development agenda. Ours has always been an optimistic approach towards Zambia’s national economic development agenda.
The Economics Association of Zambia would also like to commend government under the leadership of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu for progress made thus far in the fight against the COVID 19 pandemic. Our hope is that Zambia comes out of this with minimum or no loss to both human life and businesses.
The EAZ would also like to commend all its corporate members that have made donations towards the fight against COVID 19 especially ZANACO Bank, NERIA Investments, NAPSA and Delta Energy who were also major donors to the fight against cholera in Lusaka a few years ago. Other members both corporate and individual are equally encouraged to contribute directly to government in whatever means or form towards our nation’s fight against COVID-19.
The EAZ would like to appeal to the general public to adhere to all guidelines prescribed by the government to ensure victory over the pandemic. We would like to ask business owners and suppliers of goods and services especially pharmaceuticals to avoid speculative pricing as this will greatly compromise the fight against the Coronavirus.
Lastly, we would like to appeal to all political formations to avoid politicizing the fight against COVID 19 but instead work together in unity. Victory over COVID 19 depends on our collective effort.
Issued by:
Lubinda Haabazoka, PhD
EAZ President, on Behalf of the Board
Lusaka, Zambia
