MANILA, Philippines — The government of Canada announced on Wednesday that it is providing more than P44 million worth of additional assistance to the Philippines to help its fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“The COVID-19 pandemic is a global threat that does not recognize borders and can only be overcome through coordinated action around the world. The Government of Canada is therefore pleased to partner with the Philippines in its efforts to combat the virus,” the Canadian embassy said in a statement.
Among the two initiatives being launched by the Canadian government to help the Philippines in its fight against the pandemic is the donation of 120,000 pieces of N95 face masks valued at around P29.5 million (CAD$ 782,000), as part of Canada’s CAD$ 4.5 million in-kind contributions to the six-member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
On top of this, Canada is also adding P15.2 million (CAD$ 400,000) to the existing CAD$ 17.8 million for the Sexual Health and Empowerment Philippines (SHE) project with development and humanitarian organization Oxfam to ensure the unhampered provision of sexual and reproductive health services during the coronavirus crisis.
“This investment complements ongoing response activities, including the establishment of an emergency hotline for health services and gender-based violence, procurement of PPEs for barangay health workers, and distribution of family planning information materials,” said the Canadian embassy.
It added that the additional funding will support core activities of the SHE project which aims to improve the quality, availability, and uptake of health services of over 85,000 women of reproductive ages as well as adolescent girls and boys in conflict-affected and disadvantaged regions in the Philippines.
“Canada continues to contribute to international efforts by providing urgent and necessary funding to support the most vulnerable. This reflects a commitment to deliver a Feminist International Assistance Policy, particularly in advancing the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls,” the Canadian embassy said.
The Philippines is also one of the beneficiary-countries identified to receive COVID-19 diagnostic equipment, testing kits, reagents, and laboratory consumables as part of a CAD$ 5 million global project that Canada is funding through the International Atomic Energy Agency, according to the Canadian embassy.
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