The United States Agency for International Development, or USAID, has announced an additional grant of $3 million (Rs 22.54 crore) to India to help it combat Covid-19. USAID has so far granted India $5.9 million (Rs 43.59 crore). It had granted $2.9 million (Rs 21.79 crore) to India on April 6.
“This additional funding represents our commitment to building a safer and healthier world,” United States Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster tweeted on Thursday. The United States government will provide the funds through USAID.
A press release from the US embassy said that the aid will be provided through Partnerships for Affordable Healthcare Access and Longevity project, a financing platform established by IPE Global, an Indian international development consulting group.
“This additional funding to support India in its continuing efforts to combat Covid-19 is yet another example of the strong and enduring partnership between the United States and India,” Juster said according to the press release.
The embassy added that the United States has through USAID and Department of Health and Human Services agencies, provided India over $1.4 billion (Rs 10,525 crore) in health assistance and nearly $2.8 billion (Rs 21,050 crore) in total assistance over the last 20 years.
India has so far reported 33,050 cases of Covid-19, including 1,074 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. On March 26, the Narendra Modi-led government announced an economic bailout package worth Rs 1.7 lakh crore to help the poor tide over the impact of the countrywide lockdown, that is in place to combat Covid-19. The lockdown has been extended till May 3.
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