European Union mobilises additional EUR 48 million to support Tajikistan’s Covid-19 response
H.E. Ms. Marilyn Josefson, Ambassador, Head of EU Delegation to the Republic of Tajikistan on April 13 and 14 held meetings with H.E. Mr. Sirojiddin Muhriddin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and with H.E. Mr. Zavki Zavkizoda, Minister of Economic Development and Trade and Mr. Yusuf Majidi, Deputy Minister of Finance of the Republic of Tajikistan.
Ambassador Josefson announced the mobilisation of an additional EUR 48 million of EU funding to support Tajikistan in its comprehensive COVID-19 response. The areas of support include both an immediate emergency response as well as a top-up of funding in critical areas where the EU is already providing substantive support as part of its ongoing medium to long-term programme, to mitigate the socio-economic impacts. For instance, strengthening the health and education sectors, strengthening the resilience of SME’s in the agricultural sector, improving employability of youth, and improving the use of water with an additional focus on sanitation systems.
As part of the immediate emergency support, the EU will provide personal protection equipment to ensure effective infection prevention and control to 25 hospitals and health facilities (EUR 1.3 million); and sanitizers, gloves and masks for the Tajik border guards (EUR 10,000); as well as antiseptic liquids to be delivered to schools (EUR 40,000); and the printing of 3000 posters of COVID-19 prevention communications materials.
Ambassador Josefson stated that “to be successful in tackling the coronavirus pandemic a coordinated global response that effectively addresses all aspects of the pandemic is required. The European Union is committed to working closely with all our partners worldwide and to provide effective support. To this end, the European Union Delegation in Tajikistan will make additional funding immediately available to support the preparedness of the health sector; as well as to provide personal protection equipment through BOMCA to the Tajik border guards and food safety experts who work on the front line to ensure that key commodities are continuously processed through the country’s borders. The EU longer-term support will also as a matter of priority aim to mitigate the social and economic impact of the pandemic, which may be particularly hard on the most vulnerable groups of society.”
On April 7, the European Union announced a global plan for a robust and targeted response to support partner countries’ efforts in tackling the coronavirus pandemic. The EU will secure financial support to partner countries amounting to more than €15.6 billion from existing external action resources.