WHO and EU to support SA countries’ response to COVID-19

NEW DELHI: The European Union (EU) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have decided to jointly support eight Southeast Asian countries in combating COVID-19 and toughen readiness for future pandemics. The EU will fund € 20 million for a Southeast Asia pandemic response and preparedness programme. WHO will use the provision to continue supporting the governments of Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, among others.

Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, WHO’s Regional Director for Southeast Asia, in a statement issued on Friday, December 18, said that the EU is one of WHO’s partners, especially in emergency response. This association will go a long way in assuring that the Southeast Asia region is prepared better during and after the COVID-19 pandemic and is more resilient and tougher in the years ahead.

The funds provided will be used to mobilise all sectors and communities to assure participation in prevention, readiness, and reaction activities; control isolated cases, community transference, control public transmission; and decrease casualties from COVID-19.

Further, the WHO will use the prospect provided by the EU funding to engage with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to enhance coordination among member states and encourage a regional approach for reacting to COVID-19, where similar obstacles are faced.