The government of the United States of America has decided to grant an additional USD two million to Maldives in emergency assistance through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The aid carries the purpose of supporting the Maldives Covid-19 response efforts and was announced during a meeting held between the Minister of State for health, Dr. Shah Abdulla Mahir and USAID on Wednesday.

The funds will be utilized to procure essential commodities by the Ministry of Health, as well as to enhance the capacity of the laboratory as well as to boost efforts to mitigate the transmission, mortalities and spread of Covid-19.

Speaking at the meeting, the USAID Deputy Mission Director for Maldives and Sri Lanka, Debra Mosel revealed that the government of U.S is currently working with the Maldivian government to address the pandemic.

Mosel further revealed that the recent USD two million pledged to support Maldives Covid-19 response efforts, will be used to expand assistance across the archipelago nation to continue mitigating impacts of Covid-19 and boost the capacity of healthcare workers and facilities, to treat Covid-19 patients.

With the aid from the American Rescue Plan Fund, the ministry will also analyze the vaccine data for Covid-19 and reach decisions regarding it, renovate health facilities across atolls, acquire essentials and consumable linked to Covid-19.

Further, the ministry will utilize the funds to improve the oxygen ecosystem, boost laboratory capacity, conduct mental health and resilience training for healthcare workers alongside supporting the provision of expert consultations in island facilities. 

Maldives reported its first few Covid-19 cases on 7 March 2020 and since then, USAID has provided over USD seven million in assistance to support the government’s response efforts. Further assistance includes the provision of 60 ventilators.