Remarks by WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti
Good morning, good afternoon, and thank you all for joining this press conference. It is my great pleasure to announce the launch of the Africa Infodemic Response Alliance or AIRA.
I am really pleased to be joined for this conversation by representatives of the Alliance, which is hosted by WHO. So, welcome to you all. Melissa, a special thanks for having got up so early to be with us today.
This Alliance, which is the first of its kind, brings together intergovernmental and governmental organizations as well as non-state actors from across the continent. The Alliance members have spent considerable time formulating a shared vision and defined ways of working, so that we are ready to hit the ground running.
In Africa, and globally, we face an unprecedented dual challenge in the response to COVID-19. We are fighting a highly infectious, dangerous virus, and highly infectious, dangerous misinformation. Addressing this new challenge and creating this Alliance has not been no mean feat. It’s been a lot of work to bring everybody together.
News of the coronavirus has many people on edge, and from social media to street corners, people are hearing conspiracy theories and rumours on the origin of the virus, its mode of transmission, and its severity.
Misinformation harms people’s physical and mental health. It increases stigma and anxiety, it threatens precious health gains and reduces adherence to preventive measures like the wearing of masks. During health emergencies, people need proven, scientific facts to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.
Through this new Alliance, we will work with fact-checkers and the media to correct misconceptions, address conspiracy theories and rumours, and with technical experts to make sure that people can access accurate, concise and timely information.
This is all the more important as cases this month, compared to last month, are increasing in around half of the countries in the African Region, and countries are preparing for the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines. People are looking for clarity and answers to claims circulating online and among families and friends.
Accurate information saves lives and I would really like to appreciate all the partners joining this Alliance, through our collective action with the media, communities and technical experts, we can stop the spread of the infodemic, which will contribute to stopping the pandemic.
So, again thank you all for having joined us today and I look forward to an exciting discussion.