#COVID19So: Somalia to receive $7m from U.S to fight COVID-19
Efforts to fight the deadly COVID-19 in Somalia got a boost Wednesday following a $7 million aid package by the U.S. government.
According to a statement from the U.S embassy in Mogadishu, the US State Department and its international aid arm, USAID will deliver the funds to Somalia to support the country’s fight against the global pandemic which has since infected five people.
The aid to Somalia is part of nearly $274 million ‘in emergency health and humanitarian assistance to help countries in need, on top of the funding we already provide to multilateral organizations.’
“This assistance will primarily provide health-related support and supplies to bolster water and sanitation activities,” the statement read in part.
Meanwhile, Somalia has become the 182nd member of the World Bank’s Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) and will be eligible for support under the facility to combat COVID-19.
MIGA Vice President Hiroshi Matano said Wednesday Somalia’s entry into the agency would be instrumental in supporting its efforts against the global pandemic.
“In the face of the coronavirus outbreak and uncertainty about the capacity in Sub-Saharan Africa to respond, Somalia’s membership with MIGA marks an important milestone toward realizing the country’s long-term goals of economic growth and prosperity,” said Matano. “We look forward to working with Somalia and the investment community to deliver real results on the ground.”
Goobjoog News