Islamabad, 21 November 2021 (TDI): On Wednesday, Mission Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Julie Koenen, and Pakistan’s Director for the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Yong Ye, attended a ceremony in Islamabad.
The event confirmed the United States’ contribution of $7 million to Pakistan’s Government. The contribution was announced to help the citizens of Pakistan who have been economically affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
ADB will use USAID’s $7 million contribution to provide cash grants to Pakistani families in need of financial assistance due to the pandemic. The grants will be distributed through the Government of Pakistan’s Ehsaas Emergency Cash program. @Ehsaas_Pk https://t.co/4Y2XmUPgyr
— ADBPakistan (@PakistanADB) November 18, 2021
Julie Koenen noted that the battle against Covid-19 requires strong resources and collective efforts from the government, private sector, and public. She stated that all states need to make collective efforts to fight the pandemic.
Koenen further explained that the USAID’s donation is being made to support the Government of Pakistan in implementing the ‘Ehsaas Program’. It is a part of Washington’s commitment to helping the countries that are badly affected by the pandemic.
How will the donation work?
On behalf of the US government, USAID gave this contribution to Pakistan’s Director of Asian Development Bank. The official will be providing the cash to covid-affected families of Pakistan shortly.
The money will be distributed under the Pakistan Government’s ‘Ehsaas Emergency Cash Program’. It is primarily directed by the ‘Benazir Income Support’ initiative. The US is providing immense support to bring effectiveness and transparency to the program.
US-Pakistan collaboration during Covid-19
Since the start of the pandemic, both sides have worked together to prevent the virus from spreading. For instance, they provided special care to the patients, expanded laboratory testing, and supported frontline healthcare employees.
Washington has also donated a large sum of Covid-19 vaccines to Islamabad during the pandemic. This was done to help improve the efficiency of Pakistan’s immunization program.
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