World Bank transfers $20m to Afghanistan for Covid-19 fight

KABUL (Agencies): The World Bank announced transferring US$20 million to Afghanistan for emergency response to COVID-19 pandemic, including contracting service providers in all 34 provinces.

The bank in a statement said the amount was the first part of a US$100.4 million grant approved on April 2 for the Afghanistan COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project that became effective on April 12.

In addition, the World Bank said it made available up to US$40 million as retroactive funding to reimburse the government for eligible expenditures for health services related to COVID-19 pandemic.

“These costs can be reimbursed by the World Bank as soon as the Government provides the list of eligible services and related expenditures.” The Afghanistan COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project was designed in close coordination with the Government, including the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Public Health.

Besides the financial assistance, the World Bank together with UNICEF, WHO and other Development Partners will continue providing technical assistance and supply of equipment for the successful implementation of the project as part of the Government’s COVID-19 response.

The rapid deployment of the project by the Ministry of Public Health and other relevant government entities will help minimize the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

The World Bank said it was committed to working closely with the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Finance to protect the people of Afghanistan during these difficult times.