The World Bank provides $82 million assistance to the Government of Ethiopia for the fight against the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
On Wednesday the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved a first set of emergency support operations for developing countries around the world, using a dedicated, fast-track facility for COVID-19 (coronavirus) response. “The first group of projects, amounting to $1.9 billion, will assist 25 countries, and new operations are moving forward in over 40 countries using the fast-track process,” it said.
From Africa Ethiopia and Democratic Republic of Congo have got priority by the Bank. “$82 million will help Ethiopia address critical needs for COVID-19 preparedness and response, including the provision of vital medical equipment, health system capacity-building, and support to establish treatment centers,” The Bank said.
It is stated that in the Democratic Republic of Congo, $47 million will provide immediate support “to put in place containment strategies, train medical staff and provide equipment to ensure rapid case detection and contact tracing.”
Of the total financing the World Bank is providing to Ethiopia, 41.3 will be aid and the remaining will be loan. The funding aims to help Ethiopia fill critical resource gaps in its public health emergency preparedness, according to the statement from the Bank.
The Bank said that the funding will be used to establish new treatment centers for coronavirus patients and for the purchase of necessary medical supplies. It also aims supporting communications and information outreach activities to encourage behavioral change, such as social distancing, hand washing and sanitation.