AKIPRESS.COM - The U.S. government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), announced a commitment of $868,923 to increase Tajikistan’s ability to respond to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan John Mark Pommersheim announced that U.S. assistance will further support Tajikistan’s efforts to prepare and respond to COVID-19.

The U.S. government is providing these funds to USAID partners Abt Associates, International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) and World Health Organization (WHO). These organizations are currently registered and operating in Tajikistan, which will allow for the funds to have an immediate impact.

This initial response is being developed in close collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Tajikistan Ministry of Health. The work includes activities to strengthen Tajikistan’s health system; the procurement of urgent commodities that support infection-prevention and control; collaboration to improve Tajik laboratory capacity (including specimen transport and equipment), surveillance, rapid response, and case management; and the development and enhancement of public health outreach, including risk communication and community engagement.

This assistance is part of the U.S. government’s global efforts to strengthen partner countries’ capacities to prevent and control infectious disease threats such as tuberculosis, HIV, and pandemics like COVID-19.

Ambassador Pommersheim praised Tajikistan’s efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and said, “The U.S. government will continue to support the Government of Tajikistan with resources to minimize the spread and impact of this global scourge.”