The funding will be provided by the United Kingdom (UK) and would be issued through WHO. WHO Representative in Pakistan Dr Palitha Mahipala said that WHO had been collaborating with the Pakistani government to contain the coronavirus spread in the country. He thanked the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) for its financial support to improve the country’s response to the threat.
From the UK’s side, British High Commissioner to Pakistan Dr Christian Turner said that his government’s health support grant for Pakistan would help it contain the diseases spread. He said that they were working to redirect UK’s aid to Pakistan up to £100 million to provide social security packages and economic relief to the deserving and vulnerable people.
It was further informed that the aid package would be utilised in 27 districts of Pakistan. WHO will employ the funds to provide operational, logistical, and technical assistance to the government through the existing coordination mechanisms on the provincial and federal levels.
It was also informed that the aid would help improve the country’s testing and diagnosis capacity and assist with the prevention and control measures. The lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) and healthcare facilities will also be addressed through the aid.
