DILI 30 september 2020 (TATOLI)- European Comission has granted a €22 million (USD 25,5 Million) through a program of “Health Support in response to COVID-19 in the Pacific” to help people living in vulnerable situations to effectively combat and protect themselves from the global pandemic.
The support is the delivery of essential equipment, medication, services and enable the countries to better diagnose, treat and manage Covid-19 cases.
It is also aimed to ensure that people have continuous access to test kits and can promptly identify cases of covid-19.
According to the press release, this program will boost the readiness and ability of 15 countries, seeing that early detection of covid-19 cases has remained critical in the Pacific countries. which are highly vulnerable to importation of the disease.
in addition to this, the program will contribute to improving air transport services on specific international routes in the Pacific region and Timor-Leste to keep the movement of humanitarian personnel, technical experts and four urgently needed supplies during covid-19 restriction.
On the other hand, the programme is a complement an on-going EU programme that supports Pacific partners’ efforts to build strong, effective and resilient health systems as well as improve collaboration between environment, animal health and public health sectors.
The total fund EU’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Pacific comes to a total of €119 million (USD 138,3 Million) include the “Health Support in response to COVID-19 in the Pacific” and help cushion the economic and social impact of the crisis as well as protect jobs in the region.
This program will implement in line with the priorities of the joint management team led by the World Health Organisation, in cooperation with the World Food Programme and the Pacific Community (SPC). Approximately €2 million are earmarked for Timor-Leste.
So far the 15 countries to receive the support are Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
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