Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)-The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved US$3.0 million more in grant assistance for procuring urgently needed medical supplies for emergency response to the Covid -19 pandemic in Bangladesh.

The Government of Japan is financing the grant assistance sourced from the ADB-administered Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund, according to an ADB press statement.

“The assistance will help alleviate the government’s urgent financial, logistical, and otherconstraints to meet immediate needs and deliver appropriate medical services,” said Country Director Manmohan Parkash.

“The grant will finance the procurement of essential medicines, medical equipment and infection control supplies required for COVID-19 emergency response”.

“ADB is committed to supporting Bangladesh to minimize the health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and help accelerate the post-pandemic socio-economic recovery of the country,” Mr. Parkash added.

The new assistance builds on ADB’s previous support of around $603 million in loans and grants to contain and mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh.

Earlier on 07 May, the ADB approved $500 million loan to bolster the efforts of the Government of Bangladesh to manage the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the country’s economy and the public health.

On 30 April, ADB approved a $100 million concessional emergency loan to support Bangladesh’s efforts to address the immediate public health requirements of combatting the COVID-19 pandemic.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.

BBN/SSR/AD