Arusha \u2014 The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved $9.52 million to enhance coordinated Covid-19 response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The response programme will focus on the East and Horn of Africa region and the Comoros, the continental financial institution has said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The grant, approved on Friday last week, is part of $10 billion Covid-19 Rapid Response Facility approved by the bank’s board of directors in April this year. It complements the bank’s direct support to regional member countries across Africa, a statement issued yesterday said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The beneficiaries are Tanzania, Burundi, Comoros, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan and Sudan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Funding will also go toward the procurement of essential medical supplies, including testing kits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The money will as well be spent on training of the health workers involved on anti-Covid-19 fight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The funds will be used to bolster health systems and disease surveillance and to enhance infection control, the bank said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The East African Community (EAC) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad) will be assisted to contain cross border transmissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n