As a part of its plan to support partner countries world wide, the European Union (EU) is mobilizing EUR 350 million to fight the spread of the coronavirus and mitigate the impact of the pandemic on the ASEAN region.
The EU will support motion at national and regional level to deal with the immediate health crisis, strengthen health systems and mitigate the economic and social consequences.
“By mobilizing EUR 350 million in support for ASEAN countries, the EU is demonstrating its friendship with the people of the region,” he added in a press release.
As reported Jakarta Post Officefor Indonesia – the country with the best death toll from Covid-19 in Southeast Asia – the EU has granted €6 million to NGOs working on public health and hygiene measures, psychosocial counseling for vulnerable groups and the distribution of health kits to vulnerable communities and aid local medical experts.
Meanwhile, the cash will go to garment employees laid off as a result of Covid-19 in Myanmar, while in Malaysia the main target will probably be on vulnerable groups and access to food and clean water.
The EU is mobilizing EUR 350 million to assist the ASEAN region within the fight against the coronavirus https://t.co/m6vWBN04aA pic.twitter.com/Yj74HxPKof
— EU in ASEAN (@EUinASEAN) April 27, 2020
EU Ambassador to ASEAN Igor Driesmans said, quote: Thailand Business Review: “In difficult times, ASEAN can count on the European Union. The EU and ASEAN are regional organizations with 42 years of solidarity and partnership.”
A poster and media campaign will probably be launched in Thailand in Thai and Yawi languages to assist fight the spread of the virus in rural communities. Medical equipment was allocated for Laos.
The EU also said it was a priority to extend social protection support for vulnerable groups, including the unemployed in Cambodia, and to spice up investment programs in rural and concrete areas to create jobs and livelihood opportunities.
Meanwhile, the EU has adapted a few of its existing cooperation programs to raised deal with and reply to the pandemic.
The regional bloc has also committed around €48.5 million to fund 18 research projects on Covid-19, particularly related to protective equipment, to enhance modeling of the spread of the virus, rapid diagnostic techniques, in addition to treatments and vaccines.
“Scientific organizations in ASEAN member states are invited to precise their interest in collaborating on newly launched projects. Priority will probably be given to activities related to modeling and high-performance computing, in addition to platforms and infrastructure projects,” the EU said in a written statement dated April 16.
