By -AFP
As nations around the world fight the novel coronavirus pandemic with mass lockdowns and travel bans, United Nations experts warn that some three billion people lack even the most basic weapons needed to protect themselves; soap and running water.
The outbreak has infected some 200, 000 people and killed 9, 000. Scorching through populations across the globe after emerging in China late last year.
While Europe has become the center of the battle against the virus, countries in Africa and Asia have heavily restricted travel, imposed quarantines and closed schools, with fears for improvised communities as infections begin to grow.
But one of the most fundamental practices individuals can adopt to shield themselves from COVID-19 is by washing of hands.
Using household survey data, the United Nations Children’s Funds estimates 40% of the world’s population, or three billion people, do not have the means to wash their hands at home.
UNICEF chief of water and sanitation in east and southern Africa, said communities lack easily accessible running water, these communities are unable to buy soap or do not realize its vital role in preventing the virus.
In sub-Saharan Africa, 63% of people in urban areas; 258 million people, lack access to hand washing, according to UNICEF figures, in central and south Asia, this figure is 22 percent, or 153 million
