US pledges $37 million in aid to PH, high risk countries vs COVID-19 | Global News

US pledges $37 million in aid to PH, high risk countries vs COVID-19

By: - Reporter / @KAguilarINQ
/ 02:25 PM March 05, 2020

MANILA, Philippines — The U.S. government has pledged $37 million worth of financial aid to help “high-priority” countries, including the Philippines, in their fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

According to the U.S. Agency of International Development (USAID), the funding was sourced from its Emergency Reserve Fund for Contagious Infectious Diseases and will benefit 25 countries affected by the virus or at high risk of its spread.

The funds will be used to prepare laboratories for large-scale testing for COVID-19, train and equip rapid-response teams, investigate infection of cases and trace contacts of infected persons and more.

Article continues after this advertisement

“These are the first U.S. government funds committed from the pledge of up to $100 million announced by the U.S. Department of State on February 7, 2020,” USAID said in a statement Monday.

FEATURED STORIES

“Because an infectious-disease threat anywhere can be a threat everywhere, we call on other donors to contribute to the effort to combat COVID-19 as well,” it added.

Apart from the Philippines, other countries that will benefit from the aid are Afghanistan, Angola, Indonesia, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kenya, South Africa, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Burma, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Kyrgyz Republic, Laos, Mongolia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Article continues after this advertisement

USAID said it will also distribute personal protective equipment (PPE) such as goggles, gowns, face shields or masks, and gloves that were charitable donations from U.S. private-sector entities.

Article continues after this advertisement

Globally, the number of COVID-19 cases has surpassed 95,000 with over 3,000 deaths, mostly from China.

Meanwhile, there have only been three confirmed cases in the Philippines. As of March 4, there are 39 admitted persons under monitoring for being infected by COVID-19.

Edited by MUF
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

For more news about the novel coronavirus click here.
What you need to know about Coronavirus.
For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.

The Inquirer Foundation supports our healthcare frontliners and is still accepting cash donations to be deposited at Banco de Oro (BDO) current account #007960018860 or donate through PayMaya using this link.

TAGS: coronavirus disease, COVID-19, Usaid

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.