UK to provide Bangladesh £21m in assistance to fight Covid-19

The United Kingdomhas announced 21 million British pounds to support the Bangladesh government's priorities for fighting coronavirusas set out in the National Preparedness and Response Plan.

A press release of the British High Commission in Bangladeshon Monday said the support will also help the country prepare against the deadly coronavirus spread in the Rohingya camps and the host community there.

Of the amount, seven million pounds will be disbursed to the United Nations Children's Fund, the World Health Organisation and the World Bank to help prepare the Bangladesh national health system.

This includes managing logistics and procuring supplies for personal protective equipment for health workers, laboratory supplies for testing, and oxygen support in hospitals.

The United Nations Development Programme will get three million pounds to reach at least 2.16 million people in urban slums in 20 cities across Bangladesh with awareness-raising information and hand washing facilitiesin coordination with local health services.

One million pounds will be given to Brac which has mobilised its nationwide network of 50,000 community health workers and volunteers for raising awareness of Covid-19 in their communities, the press release added.

More than 10 million pounds will be provided to the existing United Nations and non-governmental organisation partners to maintain essential humanitarian services,and preparing the Rohingyas and the host communities for the Covid-19 pandemic.

The services include establishing treatment centres, distributing soaps, building more hand washing facilities, raising awareness of personal hygiene, and reaching out directly to vulnerable older people with advice.

The contribution will reach some 244,000 people.