The Southern Africa Youth Forum (SAYoF-SADC) a regional platform for Youth and Youth Organizations in SADC, Youth representative in the SADC Council of NGOs, and Africa Focal organization in the United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth (UNMCY) Migration Working Group. SAYoF under 1 Million by 2021 Initiative by Africa Union Commission (AUC) has launched an initiative to honor our heroines and heroes; that is our young frontline health workers in Africa in the face of Covid-19.
We join the world in saluting our Icons on International Workers’ DAY today 01 May 2020:
Acknowledging the role that young people in the health sector and those volunteering in the face of Covid-19 Pandemic;
Perturbed by the challenges that the young people who are in front to fight Covid-19 face, that include lack of adequate support for protective clothing, medical equipment, and adequate remuneration;
Recognizing the efforts by African governments, Africa Union, Africa Center for Diseases Control and Prevention, World Health Organization (WHO), and Youth Organisations in fighting Coronavirus;
Cognizant of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk 2015-2030 which highlights the need for participation of young people in disaster, the need for modalities to contribute to disaster risk reduction, following legislation, national practice, and education.
We the Youth in Africa and Youth Organisations today we salute our fellow young people taking lead in fighting Covid-19:
We, therefore, recommend the following to Governments, Africa Union, Health Boards, and Regional Economic Communities (RECs):
- The need to provide enough support to young health workers in the form of equipment, salary, social support and allowances during the time of Covid-19 and beyond
- Recognizing the role played by young frontline health workers and volunteers in fighting Covid-19
- Establish post-COVID-19 Framework, schemes, financial frameworks to meant to develop and offer social support for young people fighting to end Covid-19
- Creation of pathways for the participation and involvement of youth in the Humanitarian Response to fight COVID-19 among other disasters within African countries.
Our Creed
We the Young People in Africa, Today on International Workers Day, in Our Diversity, from different Countries, We Honor, We Salute, and We Cherish our Young Frontline Health Workers and Volunteers in Africa fighting the Corona Virus!
Source: Southern Africa Youth Forum (SAYoF-SADC)
