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World Bank provides significant help to Uzbekistan during pandemic

Finance Materials 14 May 2020 16:55 (UTC +04:00)
World Bank provides significant help to Uzbekistan during pandemic

BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 14

By Ilkin Seyfaddini - Trend:

The World Bank has provided more than $370 million to Central Asian countries to fight against coronavirus (COVID-19), $295 million of which is provided to Uzbekistan, Trend reports with reference to UzDaily press and information agency.

The funds were allocated as part of the global emergency response package and redistributed from projects currently being implemented in these states with the financial assistance of the World Bank, the report said.

"The World Bank has quickly mobilized funds to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Together with the governments of Central Asian countries, we are also reviewing our investment portfolio in the region for a total of $9.7 billion to provide additional funds to strengthen health systems and mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19 on these countries," said Lilia Burunciuc, World Bank Regional Director for Central Asia.

The World Bank's assistance will make it possible to implement a wide range of activities to improve the effectiveness of national health care systems and primary health care, improve epidemiological monitoring and reporting, and train health workers who interact with infected patients.

The funds provided will also be used to purchase important medical equipment, including test kits, laboratory reagents, equipment for intensive care units and personal protective equipment for medical workers.

As of 14 May 2020, the World Bank's response package in Uzbekistan includes $95 million to strengthen the national health system as well as to support the poor affected by the economic crisis.

In addition, WB allocates $200 million to provide the budget of Uzbekistan with additional funding, against the background of a significant reduction in tax revenues and an unforeseen increase in spending, as part of the Government's anti-crisis program to mitigate the socio-economic impact of the pandemic. In addition, $17 million has been allocated within the framework of the project to improve the emergency medical care system in Uzbekistan, which will make it possible to purchase IVF devices, X-ray machines, infusion pumps, test kits, equipment for monitoring the health condition of infected patients, etc.

"To help Central Asian countries mitigate the negative economic impact of the pandemic, the World Bank is working with the governments of the region to assess the situation and review existing projects for reorganization and reallocation of resources. The World Bank plans to mobilize additional funding for national economic recovery. Its assistance is aimed at maintaining income, livestock and agricultural development, social protection services, digital economy development and information management," the message said.

As countries around the world work to better control the spread of COVID-19 and mitigate the economic impact of the pandemic, the World Bank Group is taking extensive and rapid action to help developing countries improve their response to the pandemic.

Over the next 15 months, the World Bank Group will mobilize $160 billion to help countries around the world rebuild their economies.

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