KATHMANDU, March 20: The US government has announced an additional $1.8 million in assistance to bolster the Government of Nepal’s novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) readiness and response. 

According to a press statement issued by the US Embassy in Kathmandu, these funds are part of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Emergency Reserve Fund for Contagious Infectious Diseases.  “Of the total funds, nearly $1.1 million will scale up existing USAID health programs in Nepal to educate communities on COVID-19 prevention and to counter misinformation regarding the virus,” the embassy said in the statement. 

The embassy said that the remaining $700,000 will support ongoing preparedness and response activities in Nepal implemented through the World Health Organization. “These funds are in addition to the consignment of vital personal protective equipment (PPE) that the US government provided and handed over to the Ministry of Health and Population on March 6, 2020,” it further said.

This is part of the US announcement on March 2 to provide $37 million in financing from the Emergency Reserve Fund for Contagious Infectious Diseases at the USAID for 25 countries affected by novel coronavirus COVID-19 or at high risk of its spread, according to the statement.

The US government is providing these funds to the World Health Organization, other multilateral institutions, and programs led by USAID’s implementing partners. 

 
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