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The United States has pledged an extra USD 41 million in funding to assist India in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthening the country’s preparedness for future health catastrophes, bringing the total aid to almost USD 200 million.
The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic hit India in April and May, with more than 3,00,000 new cases each day. A lack of medical oxygen and beds was causing havoc in hospitals.
The US Agency for International Development stated on Monday that “India came to the aid of the United States during our country’s time of need, and now the United States stands with the people of India as they continue to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced an additional USD 41 million in funding to assist India in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthening the country’s preparedness for COVID-19 and other future health catastrophes.
Access to COVID-19 testing, pandemic-related mental health services, timely referrals to medical services, and access to healthcare in remote areas will all benefit from USAID’s assistance, according to the independent US federal agency primarily responsible for civilian foreign aid and development assistance.
With the new money, USAID will continue to work with India to strengthen healthcare supply chains and electronic health information systems, as well as support vaccination efforts and organise and coordinate private sector relief, according to the statement.
According to a press release, USAID has contributed more than USD 200 million to India’s COVID-19 relief and response efforts since the pandemic began, including more than USD 50 million in emergency supplies and infection prevention and control training for more than 214,000 frontline health workers, benefiting more than 42 million Indians.
President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 on March 11, awarding more than USD 300 million to the hardest-hit countries in South Asia, including India and Nepal.
President Biden stated in May that India would receive USD 100 million in COVID-19 aid. The US-India Chambers of Commerce Foundation has raised over USD 1.2 million towards coronavirus research in India.
According to a press statement issued on June 3, the US-India Chambers of Commerce Foundation has dispatched or is on route approximately 120 ventilators and over 1,000 oxygen concentrators thanks to record-breaking funding.
In addition, after Biden disclosed specifics of his administration’s commitment to give 25 million COVID-19 doses to countries around the world, India will be a major beneficiary of US vaccines.
Both the identified categories – direct supply to neighbours and partner countries, and the COVAX project – include India.
