Idris Elba launches UN fund to support farmers amid Covid-19 crisis

Idris Elba and his wife, Sabrina, have launched a $40 million (R758 million) Internationl Fund for Agricultural Development amid the Covid-19 crisis.

Sabrina explained that world leaders need to look past just the current crisis and consider how many people will be left in poverty when its all over.

About the fund, which will aid farm workers in rural areas across the globe, the actor told BBC: "It is about food. It is about the basic necessity for human beings, and that will run out if the farmers can't farm."

He added: "What we've learnt from Covid is that no man is an island. We're all part of this world, so if we can help each other [with] forward-thinking, that's going to save a lot of lives and some livelihoods."

Idris and Sabrina both tested positive for the novel virus in March and have been self-isolating at home in London.

IFAD Goodwill Ambassadors Idris and Sabrina Elba launch appeal for IFAD’s $200 million #COVID19 relief fund for rural communities.

They call for action to prevent economic shocks from triggering a global hunger and food crisishttps://t.co/ZTaq6wp9TI #IFADrpsf pic.twitter.com/7EMJJkH8IN

— International Fund for Agricultural Development (@IFAD) April 20, 2020

Now, the couple hopes to raise a further $200 million (R3.8 billion) to help agricultural workers in poorer parts of Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. 

Compiled by Bashiera Parker (Sources: Channel24, BBC, UN News)