With a rough average of at least 60% of people under the age of 30, Middle East has one big advantage against the coronavirus pandemic. This majority is less susceptible to get infected with Covid-19’s virus, even though the region was hardly affected. The governments in the region had the time to enforce curfews and to establish social distancing measures.
The Middle East’s disadvantage, although, cannot be unnoticed. The pandemic started to deepen the weaknesses left in the world’s most unstable region, after so many years of strife. Some specific problems may intensify the crisis in the Middle East, turning the region into a ticking time-bomb.
- Security and economy
Plunging the oil prices came as a result of rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Russia, deteriorating the region’s economic foundation. The unchangeable security situation in the Middle East characterize the main problem in stopping the spreading pandemic. - Social problems:
The pandemic situation is out of control in certain locations in Middle East due to the lack of, testing kits and proper medical care. The camps are the most vulnerable places (people live in large settlements, in overcrowded conditions with little sanitation), because the disease may spread very quickly through the region. Here, it can also be point out the huge number of refugees who have fled across border to camps from other region. - Wrecked systems:
An efficient coronavirus response is backed down by the region’s feeble or wrecked public systems. The lack of suitable healthcare for most of the refugees who are displaced internally or have fled the country, is making difficult to follow even the plainest advice on personal hygiene and social distancing. - Crisis areas:
West Bank, occupied by the Israeli, and the Gaza Strip are an example of crisis-points, with an alarming coronavirus’s potential. According to the Palestinian Authority, the people (mostly workers) who cross the borders between Israel and the West Bank, have the ability to spread the virus at a higher rate. - Go on and on :
Taking into consideration the last events occurred in the Middle East, the possibility of leaving behind all conflicts is almost negligible. Behind the scenes every country is moving a pawn for each country’s interests. - Imminent disaster:
The history will be determined by the evolution of the Covid-19’s pandemic, and so far we’ve seen only the initial stages of the crisis. Combined with the unpredictability of the region, repercussions in the long term could turn disastrous for the Middle East, plunging into even greater chaos.