DONOR AID ROLLS IN
… as World Bank, AfDB, US and UK provide relief package.
OVER K2.7 billion support has been approved for Zambia to fight Covid-19 by bilateral and multilateral cooperating partners under different facilities which have been made available to combat the pandemic.
And former deputy finance minister, Dan Pule and the Economic Association of Zambia have said the K2.7 billion Zambia has received from multimateral partners is a clear endorsement of government efforts in fighting the covid 19.
The bilateral and multilateral cooperating partners who have made this money available to Zambia include the World Bank (WB), African Development Bank (AfDB), United Kingdom and United States of America.
The WB has made available US$57.60 million (about K1.05 billion) under its Rapid Response Facility, according to a statement from Ministry of Finance Spokesperson, Chileshe Kandeta.
In addition, the Zambian government has applied for a further US$20 million (about K372 million) under the Banks Covid-19 Fast Track Facility.
The AfDB has committed US$37.5 million (about K697.5 million) to Covid-19 as part of the Bank Groups’ Covid-19 Rapid Response Facility.
According to the statement, the AfDB will provide support to high density areas through the provision of hand sanitisers, soap, water bowsers, hand washing facilities and supply of clean and safe water to fight Covid-19.
On the other hand, the United Kingdom has pledged support towards up scaling social cash transfer under its Gross Domestic Product 30 million (about K705 million) social cash transfer grant assistance.
“The United Kingdom has to this effect pledged to frontload its support in view of the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure that the vulnerable are cushioned,” read the statement.
Still on the support, the United States government has approved a grant of US$14.5 million (about K270 million) towards the fight against covid-19 in Zambia.
The funding is an addition to the technical support that the United States Centre for Disease Control (US-CDC) is providing to the Ministry of Health and the Zambia National Public Health Institute.
“The US technical support will involve preparedness and response training, assistance on emergency operations, laboratory operations and screening, and training of field epidemiologists,” read the statement.
Responding to this overwhelming support, Finance Minister, Bwalya Ng’andu, pledged Government’s commitment to ensuring that the resources are used prudently, and accountability exist in their use.
With respect to the support received from the WB, Dr Ng’andu said it is an affirmation of their commitment to walk with Zambia during these difficult times.
He said the gesture strengthen development cooperation with Zambia, in the quest to overcome the challenges posed by Covid-19.
The minister also acknowledged that the support from AfDB is a confirmation of its commitment to deepening development cooperation with Zambia now and in future.
“We are pleased that the AfDB has assured us that its doors will remain open for further assistance as the situation evolves,” Dr Ng’andu said.
And Dr Ng’andu said the support from the United Kingdom demonstrates its (resilience in fighting Covid-19 at its doorsteps while remaining committed to the long-standing development cooperation with Zambia, in a true show of commonwealth brotherhood.
Former Deputy Minister of Finance Danny Pule has said this support clearly shows that they have confidence in government and in the leadership of President Edgar.
And Economic Association of Zambia president Lubinda Habazooka said the aid had shamed the doomsayers who alleged that partners had lost confidence in Zambian government.
Dr Pule said the cooperation partners still believed that the Zambian government was the right friend to deal with.
He said in an interview that it was now prudent that the money was used for its intended purpose.
Dr Pule who is also Christian Democratic Party president, said the funds should be timely used and not continue to sit in the government confers.
He said that the aid which had been provide was an indication that Zambians government was trusted by the international community and other cooperative partners.
Dr Habazooka said the funds made available must give confidence to investors that Zambia remains an attractive partner to do business with.