Christians have added their support to a call from the UN for a global ceasefire as many nations seek to address the outbreak of Covid-19.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged warring parties around the world last month to lay down their arms in support of efforts against coronavirus. 

He said, "The virus does not care about ethnicity or nationality, faction or faith. It attacks all, relentlessly. Meanwhile, armed conflict rages on around the world.

"The most vulnerable — women and children, people with disabilities, the marginalized and the displaced — pay the highest price.

"They are also at the highest risk of suffering devastating losses from COVID-19. Let's not forget that in war-ravaged countries, health systems have collapsed.

"Health professionals, already few in number, have often been targeted. Refugees and others displaced by violent conflict are doubly vulnerable. The fury of the virus illustrates the folly of war." 

Baptists Together General Secretary, the Rev Lynn Green, said that coronavirus poses the biggest threat to poor countries and places experiencing conflict. 

She called for peace as already stretched health services respond to the latest challenge posed by the pandemic.

"In my life I have never known a crisis that has been so universal in its impact," she said.

"It seems from every corner of the globe we are hearing daily stories of how this virus is indiscriminately devastating lives and communities.

"And yet even with this global reach, it is the poorest countries and those experiencing conflict that are threatened the most.

"The health systems in so many areas of conflict are already decimated. Health and humanitarian workers need resources and unimpeded access as they try to reach and help those affected by the virus. This cannot happen while war rages on."

She asked people to consider writing to their MPs to urge them to ensure that the UK Government does everything it can to make the call for a global ceasefire a reality. 

Methodist Church leaders have made a similar appeal. Methodist Conference President, the Rev Dr Barbara Glasson, and Vice-President, Prof Clive Marsh, said that the laying down of arms would free up medics to concentrate their efforts on coronavirus. 

"The Covid-19 pandemic brings home to us our common humanity," they said.

"While in the UK we have struggled with being locked down, we are thankful that we have an excellent health service with tremendous staff.

"Our thoughts also go out to those living in war zones where health systems are unreliable and intensive treatments are often unavailable.

"Those whose lives have been disrupted by war now have to protect themselves from this new deadly threat. That is why we are supporting the UN Secretary General's call for a global ceasefire." 

They continued: "A global ceasefire will enable medics and nurses to access conflict areas and concentrate on the battle against Coronavirus.

"We urge that all parties to conflict give immediate priority to life and health and respond to the Secretary General's call for a ceasefire.

"We ask our own government to work urgently, including within the UN Security Council, to make this call a reality."

Christian Aid's Senior Adviser on Humanitarian Policy and Advocacy, Jane Backhurst said that coronavirus was compounding existing challenges in conflict hotspots, like food shortages, insecurity, and a lack of infrastructure with only a few hospitals and no testing facilities.

"The virus means their limited resources are stretched beyond the limit," she said.

"A global ceasefire could be extremely powerful if it enables humanitarian organisations safe and fast access to those most affected."