US delivers much-needed emergency supplies to Sri Lanka

The United States today delivered much-needed emergency supplies to Sri Lanka.

U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Martin Kelly and Department of Health Secretary Dr SH Munasinghe commemorated the donation of much-needed emergency supplies including pulse oximeters, glasses protection, examination gloves and KN95 masks, all donated by the American people. at the request of the government of Sri Lanka.

The donation arrived at Bandaranaike International Airport on Saturday.

“The United States and Sri Lanka have worked closely together to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic since its inception,” said U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Martin Kelly. “We recognize the heavy personal toll of the pandemic. At the request of the government, we are providing these urgently needed supplies by the Department of Health to ensure they reach those who need them as quickly as possible. “

The shipment of emergency relief supplies follows the White House announcement last Thursday that the United States will make nearly 7 million doses of vaccine available to countries in South and South Asia. East, including Sri Lanka.

Since March 2020, the United States has provided $ 6 million, plus an in-kind donation of 200 ventilators, to control the spread of COVID-19, meet the urgent health needs of the Sri Lankan people and ultimately save lives. This assistance has reached millions of people in Sri Lanka’s 25 districts and nine provinces to mobilize essential supplies and expertise to support the Sri Lankan government’s response to the pandemic. The funding is also helping to mitigate the negative economic impacts of the pandemic and help the country recover.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has invested more than $ 26 million over the past 20 years to improve the health and well-being of Sri Lankan families and fight diseases like malaria , avian flu and now COVID-19.

It is part of the long-standing partnership between the American and Sri Lankan peoples to support self-reliance and promote economic growth.

USAID’s program in Sri Lanka, totaling more than LKR 350 billion ($ 2 billion) since 1961, promotes a healthy, educated and employed population. (Colombo Diary)