AKIPRESS.COM - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a $1 million grant to support the Mongolian government’s fight against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The grant, from the Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund, will fund the immediate purchase of key medical equipment, such as diagnostic and emergency medical equipment, and supplies for personal protection.

“ADB is committed to supporting Mongolia in the fight to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” said ADB Director General for East Asia James Lynch. “This assistance will support the government as it procures high priority equipment to address a situation that poses the potential for a prolonged public health threat in the country.”

As the virus continues to spread globally, the government has assigned the highest possible risk rating to the emergency under the Law on Disaster Protection, and allocated $4.3 million from the state budget to respond to urgent needs.

It is still wintertime in Mongolia with temperatures well below freezing and this is a time of high risk for the seasonal flu. Respiratory diseases make up a high proportion of the burden of disease in Mongolia and the Ministry of Health has identified 20% of the population at high risk.

The assistance follows ADB’s announcement on 18 March of the reallocation of $1.4 million from the Fifth Health Sector Development Project in Mongolia to procure essential medical equipment for early detection, emergency care, and management of severe respiratory diseases. ADB also approved a $225,000 small-scale technical assistance to strengthen Mongolia’s national capacity for infection prevention and control.

On 18 March, ADB announced an initial package of approximately $6.5 billion to address the immediate needs of its developing member countries, including Mongolia, as they respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. ADB stands ready to provide further financial assistance and policy advice down the road whenever the situation warrants. Visit ADB’s website to learn more about our ongoing response.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.