Corinne Rose

545 Forestdale Road

Kingsport, TN
37660
423-963-0013
corinnerose0217@gmail.com

04/04/2021

The Kingsport Times-News

701 Lynn Garden Drive
Kingsport, TN 37660

To whom it may concern,

Covid-19's Impact on Global Poverty and Hunger - A Call to Action

There is no doubt that everyone has felt the tremendous and disheartening effects of Covid-19. While
many have and continue to face economic strains, family disconnection, or the loss of a job or loved one,
Covid pays no mind to the people it affects and has no boundaries on the countries and areas it reaches.
However, some of its most sizable pillages are situated in impoverished nations, many miles away.
71 million people will be forced into extreme poverty because of the effects of Covid-19. Even more
unnerving is the lack of health facilities and resources that will help diminish the chaotic ramifications of
this outbreak in underdeveloped countries. Only 10% of people in low-income nations will get a COVID-
19 vaccine. In addition to this, only 0.01% of people in low-income nations have been tested for COVID-
19. These statistics tell us that certain nations are extremely ill-equipped to handle the financial and
health-related burdens that Covid has brought upon us all. Lack of infrastructure, education, supplies, and
other essential aid has not only brought forth problems such as riots over food shortages, and violent
protests against governments, it has led to yet another troubling statistic. Death toll numbers.
Leaders of faith-based organizations wrote in July of 2020 that 70% of the world's nations are
subject to an additional 3 million deaths, occurring most frequently in countries void of humanitarian
assistance. Hospitals are far and few in developing nations, leaving many purged of vital medical
attention, dying in their own homes, and buried in remote areas without being recorded.
Covid-19 has proven to be just one more obstacle in the face of many nations and their success.
Even more so for countries who are dealing with other tropical diseases, starvation, malnutrition, and
much much more. We cannot prevail in the face of a disease outbreak if we do not aid each other in any
sense possible. According to Congress, of $4.4 billion dedicated to a COVID-19 response...0.1% is being
used for international response and aid. This is an extremely low allocation of funds. Additional monetary
assistance for developing nations could help end the spread of this disease and bring prevention tools to
the area, increasing the likelihood for vaccination and survival.
To get involved, contact your representatives and ask that they speak on your behalf in regards to
Covid-19 foreign assistance. Representatives such as Marsha Blackburn and Diana Harshbarger, as well
as Senate members such as Bill Hagerty, have the opportunity to co-sign helpful legislation that will
support developing nations and their struggle to regain or achieve health and economic stability.
To view more information on global poverty and hunger, as well as track bills and legislation geared
towards foreign assistance, visit The Borgen Project website, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness
and uplifting voices of underdeveloped nations.

Sincerely,

Corinne Rose