Switzerland has committed additional 9.8 million Swiss Francs (approximately 90 crore taka) to scale up its support for an effective community-based response against Covid-19 in Bangladesh.
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 pandemic and reinforce socioeconomic resilience, the 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 million people received telemedicine services for better treatment of COVID-19; 130,000 slum dwellers received hygiene kits and 80,000 gained access to hand washing facilities; 115,000 people received cash and 60’000 food or vitamin contributions.
Moreover, four help lines were established, offering psychosocial and legal support to survivors of gender based violence.
Moving ahead, ensuring vaccines for all is key to finding 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 Wednesday announced the donation of 4 million AstraZeneca vaccines to this multilateral initiative.
This will help get more Covid-19 vaccines deployed more quickly to developing countries, the embassy said.