Boris puts £323m of foreign aid cash in search of a vaccine
BORIS Johnson pledged a world-beating £323million of foreign aid cash yesterday to spearhead the global fight against the deadly coronavirus pandemic.
The whopping sum is the most given by any country so far and brings the UK’s overall donations to £544million.
Some £210million will fund research into a vaccine and other cash will go on affordable treatments, new testing devices and a world hygiene programme.
The funding will ensure British scientists and researchers continue to lead the fight against the killer virus.
Pioneering
Speaking during a virtual G20 summit, the Prime Minister urged world leaders to “step up” efforts to find a vaccine. Mr Johnson said: “While our brilliant doctors and nurses fight coronavirus at home, this record British funding will help to find a vaccine for the entire world.
“UK medics and researchers are at the forefront of this pioneering work.
“My call to every G20 country and to governments around the world is to step up and help us defeat this virus.
“In the meantime, I want to repeat to everyone that they should stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.”
The UK and other countries are channelling cash to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), which is helping the development of vaccines.
Future vaccines will be offered to the NHS and other countries at the lowest possible price, but CEPI says it needs an additional £1.6billion in funding.
If all G20 nations pledged £82million, the shortfall would be met instantly.
The video call between G20 leaders, their first gathering since the coronavirus outbreak, also discussed efforts to protect the global economy. Britain has led the way with an unprecedented package of support for UK workers and businesses and supporting vulnerable world economies.
Quickly identifying those with coronavirus and having the means to treat those most affected will be pivotal in bringing down the number of deaths, health experts say.
UK funding will also speed the testing of existing medicines against coronavirus, such as anti-malaria drugs, as well as new treatments.
International Development Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said: “We are backing experts, including in the UK, to find solutions as quickly as possible to this pandemic.
“This will ultimately help us to save lives in this country.”