Aid agencies fear the uncontrolled spread of coronavirus across Africa could be catastrophic - as two in five people do not have anywhere to wash their hands at home.
With millions living in unsanitary conditions, experts fear that if the virus is not stopped before spreading across the world's poorest nations it might never go away.
The UN is launching a global humanitarian response to COVID-19 today - amid fears developing world countries do not have the resources to take the urgent measures being carried out in Europe, South East Asia and the US.
Senior officials including the UN Secretary General are expected to say that if the world does not come up with a universal plan the current crisis could linger for years to come.