In the wake of a rise in Covid-19 cases in Bangladesh, Switzerland has announced to provide 9.8 million Swiss Francs (approximately 90 crore taka) in addition to its previous support to scale up the effective community-based response to fight the pandemic.
With these additional funds, Switzerland broadens its engagement with national and international partner organisations, in close collaboration with the government of Bangladesh, to help local communities curb the spread of the coronavirus and reinforce socioeconomic resilience, a spokesperson of the Swiss Embassy in Dhaka said.
Since the first outbreak of the pandemic in April last year, Switzerland has earmarked 17 million Swiss Francs (160crore taka)to over 20 projects across Bangladesh, reaching the most vulnerable and remote communities and supporting organisations working at the frontline.
These interventions have proven to be efficient in delivering timely remedies against the negative impacts of the pandemic.
“ So far, with Swiss support, around 1.5 million people were sensitised and trained on upholding hygiene standards; 1.0 million people received telemedicine services for better treatment of COVID-19; 130,000 slum dwellers received hygiene kits and 80,000 gained access to handwashing facilities; 115,000 people received cash and 60,000 food or vitamin contributions,” he said.
Moreover, four helplines were established, offering psychosocial and legal support to survivors of gender-based violence.
“Moving ahead, ensuring vaccines for all is the key to find a way out of this unprecedented global crisis. Following the pledge of an additional 300 million Swiss Francs to the COVAX facility, the Federal Council on Thursday announced the donation of 4.0 million Astra Zeneca vaccines to this multilateral initiative”.
This will help get more Covid-19 vaccines deployed more quickly to developing countries, the Embassy said.
