World Bank pledges aid of USD 7.3 million to the Maldives to combat virus

The World Bank will be providing USD 7.3 million in aid to the Maldives to assist the country during the situation with the global pandemic Covid-19.

The bank has also previously arranged aid of USD 10 million to the Maldives for the purpose, bringing the total aid by the Bank to the Maldives to USD 17.3 million.

A project named as Maldives Covid-19 Emergency Response and Health Preparedness was passed by the World Bank’s Board of Directors yesterday to initiate the aid funds.

In a statement, the bank stated that the funds would assist the country to provide optimum care to patients, procure personal protective equipment and medical supplies in addition to supporting hospitals to maintain essential services.

The funds would also strengthen intensive care and cope with a potential surge in demand, strengthen the capacity of laboratories in the capital Male’ and the atolls to diagnose the coronavirus, and train medical staff to manage Covid-19 cases.

World Bank’s project will also support risk communication, community engagement and behavior change, focusing on the congested capital of Male’, where transmission is more likely.

“The World Bank’s new emergency financing will help the Maldives government alleviate the impact of COVID-19 and help it strengthen health services and acquire medical resources necessary to protect and treat all Maldivians,” said Idah Z. Pswarayi-Riddihough, World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.  “The additional $10 million will help to mitigate the risks and vulnerabilities associated with the health crisis.”

The World Bank Group is rolling out a $14 billion fast-track package to strengthen the COVID-19 response in developing countries and shorten the time to recovery.