VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Jakarta - The United States (US) supports Indonesia in its efforts to fight the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic by extending assistance worth US$2.3 million (some Rp36 billion).

The donation was readied through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the US Embassy in Jakarta stated on Friday.

Heather Variava, US Chargé d’Affaires in Jakarta, announced that the US Government, through USAID, will offer emergency aid, worth $2.3 million to Indonesia, under the US’ global efforts to fight the spread of COVID-19.

This emergency assistance will support ongoing efforts of the Ministry of Health, Presidential Staff Office (KSP), and Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Authority (BNPB).

"For over 50 years, we have partnered with the Government of Indonesia, through USAID and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on pressing health issues, including infectious diseases," Variava noted.

"As the Government of Indonesia joins the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, we are committing additional emergency funding to support their disease prevention, detection, and response efforts," she affirmed.

The US government is financing this assistance from USAID’s Emergency Reserve Fund for Contagious Infectious Diseases. The US government is extending these funds to multilateral institutions and programs led by the USAID implementing partners in individual countries.

The assistance to Indonesia’s COVID-19 response will be instantaneously channeled to bolster lab capacity, expedite testing, and streamline disease tracking at the community level.

It will also boost risk communications to provide the public with reliable, verifiable information to keep all informed on ways to protect themselves and those around.

"Indonesia is ready to work along with other countries in forging collaboration to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including the US Government, to support us in handling the COVID-19 pandemic," Acep Somantri, director for International Cooperation Affairs, Ministry of Health, stated.

The US government remains committed to working alongside partner countries, including Indonesia, in combating the deadly pandemic to ensure health security for one and all.

Since an infectious disease, such as coronavirus infection, can become a threat everywhere, the US has called on other donors to contribute to the global efforts to combat the COVID-19 crisis. (ANTARA)