World Bank provides 3 million USD to Armenia to fight COVID-19 spread

YEREVAN, APRIL 3, ARMENPRESS. In response to the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic globally, and recently in Armenia, the World Bank is supporting the Government’s response to protect its people amid the coronavirus outbreak, the World Bank Office in Armenia told Armenpress.

At the request of the Ministry of Health of Armenia, the WorldBank has allocated$3 million to address the country’s urgent needsfor equipment and supplies needed for the intensive care ofpeople witha confirmedCOVID-19 diagnosis.These funds are supportingthe procurement of 50 artificial pulmonary ventilation (APV) devices worth $1.35 million under the ongoing Disease Prevention and Control Project (DPCP).

This procurement became possible due to the application of the streamlined procedures of the World Bank in emergency situations. The technical expertise provided by the World Bank helped to carry out rapid market analysis to ensure value for money amid acute shortages in global supply of medical equipment and increasing prices. As a result, Armenia’s health systemwill be equipped withadditionalhigh-quality devicesnecessary for treating an increasing number of confirmed COVID-19 cases.

"In these dramatic timesthe Bankstandsready to support the country’s response to help mitigate the impact of the pandemic,”saysSylvie Bossoutrot, World Bank CountryManager for Armenia.“I would like to recognize theunprecedented dedicationof health professionals inArmeniato protect thepeople.I wouldalsolike tostrongly encourageeach citizen of Armeniatostrictly abide by therequirements of these emergency timesand observesocial distancing and isolation measures aimed at minimizingthe impact of thepandemic.”

Similar arrangements will be applied topurchaseadditional ventilators, as well as personal protective equipmentto addressimmediate healthcare needs.In addition, the World Bank standsready toreprogram parts of its activeongoing portfolio inArmeniatosupport thegovernment’s response to COVID-19 in various areas.

The World Bank’s financial and technical support is closely coordinated with that of other international organizations and development finance institutions. In particular, theabove equipmentwill be procured directly through United Nations agencies’ supply channels in view of the current constraints for these types of medical emergency equipment in the global market.

The World Bank Group is rolling out a $14 billionfast-track packageto strengthen the COVID-19 response in developing countries and shorten the time to recovery. The immediate response includes financing, policy advice and technical assistance to help countries cope with the health and economic impacts of the pandemic. TheIFCis providing $8 billion in financing to help private companies affected by the pandemic and preserve jobs.IBRD and IDAare making an initial US$6 billion available for the health-response. As countries need broader support, the World Bank Group will deploy up to $160 billion over 15 months to protect the poor and vulnerable, support businesses, and bolster economic recovery.