Millions feel economic impact
of Covid-19 pandemic
 |
| The famous Piazza Navona in Rome is deserted because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Italy's travel, hospitality, and tourism industry has been particularly hard hit by the coronavirus emergency (AFP) |
The ongoing coronavirus emergency is affecting the lives and
livelihoods of millions of people around the world, prompting an appeal by Pope
Francis to overcome indifference, selfishness, and division.
By Susy Hodges
In his General Audience on Wednesday, Pope Francis said he
entrusted to the mercy of God all those who have been hit by unemployment due
to the current coronavirus pandemic. He prayed, “May the Lord be the Providence
of all those in need and encourage us to help them”
The Covid-19 lockdowns have triggered massive unemployment
and economic hardship for millions of people across the globe, and Italy has
been one of the worst-affected nations. Economic data released this week showed
Italy has now officially fallen into recession after its Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) dropped by 4.7 percent in the first quarter of this year.
The first nationwide lockdown
Italy was the first nation to declare a nationwide lockdown
and its people have spent nearly two months confined to their homes in a bid to
curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Companies up and down the country have
been forced to lay off over 3 million workers after all non-essential
businesses were forced to close their doors. A further three million
self-employed workers in Italy are seeing their livelihood hammered by the
lockdown.
One of the biggest hits has been to Italy’s travel,
hospitality and tourism sector which in 2019 accounted for around 13 percent of
the nation’s GDP. Over two million Italians are employed in this industry.
Charitable activity
In Rome, the local Caritas network and numerous other
charities have swung into action to help the growing number of people
struggling to put food on the table after losing their job or livelihood. Many
individuals and food store owners are donating food parcels or surplus supplies
to the needy. This pattern is being repeated across the whole of the country.
Pope Francis has set up an emergency fund at the Pontifical
Mission Societies to aid those being tragically impacted by the coronavirus
pandemic. He also made the first contribution to the fund by donating 750,000
US dollars.
Appeal to overcome indifference
Over the past two months, the Pope has frequently expressed
his deep concern over the devastating economic and social impact of the
Covid-19 crisis. In his Easter message the Pope said the pandemic was severely
testing our whole human family and called on the nations of the world to
overcome indifference, self-centeredness and divisions.
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