RIYADH, April 17 — Saudi Arabia announced Thursday a US$500-million donation to relevant international organisations to support global efforts in combatting the COVID-19, Xinhua news agency cited Saudi Press Agency report.
The donation would support emergency, preparedness response, and development and application of new diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines, the Saudi Arabia G20 Presidency said in a statement.
The donation would also fulfill unmet needs for international surveillance and coordination and ensure sufficient supplies of protective equipment for health workers.
This contribution by the kingdom comes in response to the commitment made during the Extraordinary G20 Leaders’ Summit held last month.
Saudi Arabia will allocate US$150 million to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness and Innovation, US$150 million to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisations, and US$200 million to other international and regional health organisations and programmes, said the statement.
The kingdom has called on all countries, non-governmental organisations and the private sector to join the global efforts to fill the financing gap to combat COVID-19, which is estimated to be over US$8 billion according to the Global Preparedness Monitoring Board. -BERNAMA