IFRC warns Europe’s poorest countries are being left behind, as deaths hit grim milestone

As Europe reaches the grim milestone of 50 million infections and 1 million lives lost to COVID-19, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) calls for more equitable access to vaccination to counter disparities across countries and ensure no one is left behind.

More than a year into the pandemic, the situation continues to worsen despite vaccination rollout. The Europe region accounts for one-third of cases and deaths worldwide, and the socio-economic crisis is deepening as newly vulnerable people seek help to meet their basic needs.

Dr. Davron Mukhamadiev, IFRC Regional Health and Care Coordinator for Europe, said: “Vaccine inequity is both concerning and dangerous. COVID-19 does not stop at borders, and our safety relies on widespread immunization. However, some of the poorest countries in Europe are struggling to move forward.”

As of 6 April, just 12.3 percent of the population in Europe had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and the lack of equitable access to immunization is still worrying: in low-income countries such as Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, and the Republic of Moldova, only 0.4 percent of total inhabitants had been vaccinated, on average, while in the richest countries that figure stood at 17.7 percent.

The IFRC is seeking funding for its immunization plan, targeting 500 million of the most vulnerable people around the world, as part of the organization’s emergency appeal to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, at present, this is only 51 percent covered. Without more funding, IFRC will be unable to make a meaningful difference for those in need.

Dr. Mukhamadiev said it is crucial for governments to step up their commitments towards ensuring that everyone has equal and timely access to the vaccine.

“Equity is both a moral and public health imperative. None of us is safe until we are all safe. At the national level, it is essential to guarantee that homeless, migrants – irrespective of their status – and other vulnerable groups are included in vaccination plans.”

Hopes of Europe returning to normality are fading, as health systems in many countries continue to be overburdened and intensive care units reach a critical point.

“Worryingly, National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies across Europe are still witnessing the far-reaching impacts of the pandemic every day, everywhere,” warned Dr. Mukhamadiev.

“Volunteers who run ambulance services or support nursing homes and hospitals are directly confronted with illness and death, while those providing other types of assistance now deal with increased human suffering and people in need, including the newly vulnerable: including those who have lost their jobs and can’t make ends meet and those who cannot deal with difficulties such as isolation,” he said.

In Spain, for example, 52 percent of the people who asked for psychosocial support through the Spanish Red Cross’ ‘Cruz Roja Te Escucha’ service in the last months had never sought help from the organization before. Two-thirds of the total reported having emotional distress most or all the time – including depression and anxiety.

Dr. Mukhamadiev said the key to successfully combatting successive waves of COVID-19 is vaccination and testing, together with improved treatments and preventative measures. People should continue to routinely wear masks, wash hands and keep physical distance, as those measures play a major role in mitigating the spread of the virus.