Chennai: The US government, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), announced $2.9 million to support India in its response to the novel coronavirus disease, Covid-19. This builds on a foundation of more than $1.4 billion in health assistance, and nearly $3 billion in total assistance, that the United States has provided to India over the last 20 years.
According to a press note here, these new funds will support two organizations: $2.4 million for USAID’s health strengthening project, implemented by Jhpiego, an international non-profit health organisation affiliated with Johns Hopkins University, and $500,000 for the World Health Organization (WHO). The funds will help the government of India slow the spread of Covid-19, provide care for the affected, and support local communities with the tools needed to contain the disease.
Praising India’s efforts, US Ambassador to India Kenneth I Juster announced that the USAID assistance will further support India’s response to Covid-19. “COVID-19 is a global public health threat that can be addressed best by close collaboration among governments and international organizations. The US government, through USAID, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other US Department of Health and Human Services agencies, is working closely with the Government of India and multilateral agencies to support India’s response to this global pandemic,” said Juster.