WHO praises PM Narendra Modi’s effort to help poor amid COVID-19 outbreak

World Health Organisation chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Thursday praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to help the poor amid the lockdown due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

"Countries are asking people to #stayhome and shutting down population movement to limit #COVID19 transmission. These steps can have unintended consequences for the poorest and most vulnerable," said Dr Ghebreyesus on Twitter.

Countries are asking ppl to #stayhome & shutting down population movement to limit #COVID19 transmission. These steps can have unintended consequences for the poorest & most vulnerable. I call on countries to ensure these populations have food & life essentials during the crisis.

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) April 2, 2020

He then went on to praise Modi for the relief package he announced providing  food rations, cash transfers and free cooking gas.

"My appreciation to Prime Minister @narendramodi for announcing a $24 billion package to support Flag of India's vulnerable populations during #COVID19 crisis, including: free food rations for 800M disadvantaged people; cash transfers to 204M poor women and; free cooking gas for 80M households," said the WHO chief. 

My appreciation to Prime Minister @narendramodi for announcing a $24 billion package to support 🇮🇳's vulnerable populations during #COVID19 crisis, including:
-free food rations for 800M disadvantaged people
-cash transfers to 204M poor women
-free cooking gas for 80M households.

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) April 2, 2020

The Indian government last week had announced an INR 1.7 lakh-crore fiscal stimulus package to help the poor and migrants tackle the difficulties arising out of the 21-day lockdown in India.