…AfDB Approves $2m Emergency Assistance

The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved $2 million in emergency assistance for the World Health Organisation (WHO) to reinforce its capacity to

help African countries contain the COVID-19 pandemic and mitigate its impacts.

The grant, which is in response to an international appeal by the WHO, would be used by the world body to equip Regional Member Countries to prevent, rapidly detect, investigate, contain and manage detected cases of COVID-19.

It is one part of several of the Bank’s interventions to help member-countries address the pandemic which, while slow to arrive in Africa, is spreading quickly and is straining already fragile health systems.

Specifically, the WHO Africa region would use the funds to bolster the capacity of 41 African countries on infection prevention, testing and case management.

“WHO Africa will also boost surveillance systems, procure and distribute laboratory test kits and reagents, and support coordination mechanisms at national and regional levels,” a statement from the AfBD explained.

This grant, “will enable Regional Member Countries to put in place robust containment measures within 48 hours of COVID-19 case confirmation and also support the WHO Africa Region to disseminate information and increase public awareness in communities,” said the Bank’s Human Capital Youth and Skills Development Department.

The grant would contribute toward a $50 million WHO Preparedness and Response Plan, which other partners including the United Nations system, are also supporting.

“It is estimated that Africa will require billions of dollars to cushion the impact of the disease as many countries scramble together contingency measures, including commercial lockdowns, in desperate efforts to contain it.

“Globally, factories have been closed and workers sent home, disrupting supply chains, trade, travel, and driving many economies toward recession,” it added.

The Bank Group was expected to unveil a financial assistance package that would enable governments and businesses to undertake flexible responses to lessen the economic and social impact of this pandemic.

Last Thursday, the Bank raised $3 billion in a three-year social bond, the proceeds from which would go to help alleviate the economic and social effects of the pandemic. It was the largest dollar-denominated social bond launched in international capital markets to date.