ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a US$ 2 million grant for the “COVID-19 Emergency Response.”
The grant agreement was signed by the Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Affairs in Islamabad Noor Ahmed and the Country Director ADB Ms. Xiaohong Yang.
The grant proceeds, made available from ADB’s Asia Pacific Disaster Respond Fund, will be used to build resilience and capacity of front-line health workers in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic by providing (i) personal protective and waste management (biosafety) equipment to front-line health workers; (ii) testing kits and diagnostic reagents; (iii) air-purifying respirators; (iv) laboratory and general medical supplies.
The Country Director ADB reaffirmed the Bank’s support for the government’s development vision and people-centric growth policies, especially in light of growing uncertainties in a post-COVID-19 scenario.
Ms. Xiaohong Yang also reiterated ADB’s strong commitment to further strengthening and expanding its long-standing partnership with Pakistan.
The Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Affairs appreciated ADB for a remarkable role in supporting the government of Pakistan’s targeted efforts towards mitigating the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 by providing an Emergency Assistance Loan of US$ 300 million in the first phase, and a grant of US$ 2 million for building the capacity and resilience of the Health Sector in the second phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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