US commits $5.8 mln in COVID-19 assistance to Sri Lanka

The United States on Wednesday announced a commitment of more than $4.5 million to help Sri Lanka in its fight against COVID-19, bringing the total US contribution to $5.8 million.

“This assistance continues the long tradition of US support for Sri Lanka's security and sovereignty,” said US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Alaina B. Teplitz in a media release. “Over the past 20 years, US assistance in Sri Lanka has totaled more than $1 billion, including $26 million for health.”

This assistance, channeled through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), includes $2 million to increase social services for areas and populations most impacted by the crisis, and support for activities that build social cohesion. Another $2 million will strengthen small and medium enterprises and increase women’s economic participation. As part of the newly-announced assistance, the United States is also providing $590,000 in humanitarian assistance that will support vulnerable people during the pandemic.

“This new assistance builds on the $1.3 million in health assistance the US Embassy announced on April 9, which is helping the government prepare laboratory systems, activate case-finding and event-based surveillance, and support technical experts for response and preparedness. US assistance is also enabling Sri Lanka to conduct communicate more effectively about the risk of infection and prevent and control infectious diseases in health facilities,” the release said.