The Asian Development Bank (#ADB) has approved a $250 million load to support #Papua New Guinea in response to COVID-19 pandemic.
#PNG had declared a state of emergency in March followed by lockdowns and measures, affecting the country’s economy. As per the ADB, the country is the only member country impacted by the community transmission of the coronavirus.
ADB’s assistance will enable strengthen PNG’s healthcare system by supporting and training health workers, building of temporary isolation facilities for coronavirus patients, procurement and distribution of medical supplies, and making improvements in the water supply for citizens and communities.
In a statement, ADB President #Masatsugu Asakawa announced ADB’s committment to support the PNG government in response to the pandemic with the funds’ aid in strengthening the health sector and providing financial support to revitalize the economy. The program will implement the $769 million pandemic response plan and stimulus package to support the economy, added ADB.
ADB’s program is funded through the COVID-19 pandemic response option (CPRO), which further focuses on providing social assistance and food security to the vulnerable sections of the country majorly affected by job and income losses.