Washington USA
The World Bank today approved $8.1 million in
financing from the International Development Association (IDA) to help Togo
combat COVID-19 (coronavirus) and better respond to public health emergencies.
The
COVID-19 Emergency Response Project will
help the Government of Togo strengthen epidemiological surveillance, early
detection, and confirmation of cases. It has just stepped up the work underway
in the context of the Regional Disease Surveillance Systems Enhancement
(REDISSE) Project.
The project will expand screening and
patient care capacity by building the capacity of personnel involved in the
response effort, strengthening the surveillance capacity of laboratories, and
facilitating the procurement of personal protective equipment and medical
equipment, including resuscitation equipment.
“COVID-19
is placing a heavy burden on hospital and outpatient health services, which are
on the front lines. The needs remain great, despite the work already done by
the government and its partners. This operation will certainly bolster Togo’s
capacity to respond to this pandemic,” said Hawa Wague, Resident Representative for the
World Bank in Togo.
The World Bank Group, one of the
largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, is taking
broad, fast action to help developing countries strengthen their pandemic
response.
Hawa said that the group is
increasing disease surveillance, improving public health interventions, and
helping the private sector continue to operate and sustain jobs.
“Over the next 15 months, the group
will be deploying up to $160 billion in financial support to help countries
protect the poor and vulnerable, support businesses, and bolster economic
recovery, including $50 billion of new IDA resources in grants or highly concessional
terms.” She said.
The International Development
Association (IDA) is the World Bank’s fund for the poorest.
Established in 1960, it provides
grants and low to zero-interest loans for projects and programs that boost
economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve poor people’s lives.
IDA is one of the largest sources of
assistance for the world’s 76 poorest countries, 39 of which are in Africa. IDA
resources help effect positive change in the lives of the 1.6 billion people
living in the countries that are eligible for its assistance.
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