ZAMBIA'S COVID-19 FIGHT RECEIVES SUPPORT FROM LENDERS

LUSAKA, Zambia

Zambia’s Ministry of Finance on Thursday said that the country is expected to receive $145 million (2.7 billion kwacha) from multilateral lenders, Britain and the United States to help it in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

Zambia has so far registered 97 positive COVID-19 cases with just three deaths from the virus.

According to the ministry’s statement, $57.6 million will be availed by the World Bank under its rapid response facility and an additional $20 million will be disbursed under its COVID-19 fast track facility.

The statement added that Britain had pledged 30 million pounds ($37.5 million) towards increasing the provision of cash grants to the poor and the United States had approved a grant of $14.5 million.

Additionally, the African Development (AfDB) Bank had pledged $37.5 million for the purchase of medical equipment other medical needs.

“The AfDB will also provide food security packs for approximately 200,000 households in the event of the situation escalating,” the statement said.

President Edgar Lungu had previously warned that Zambia’s budget had been left in confusion by the pandemic causing the government to plunge into unplanned spending to deal with it.

Lungu promised to find a balance between implementing health measures and ensuring that the economy keeps running to sustain people’s livelihoods. - Africa