Australia to provide $7 million to Nepal’s COVID-19 response

Kathmandu, May 21

Australia will provide an additional Australian $7 million (Rs. 635 million) to Nepal to support the response to COVID-19. 

This funding is part of an Australian $17.5 million package to support Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka, to strengthen the resilience of the South Asian region, said the Embassy of Australia in Kathmandu.

"Australia’s contribution will boost Nepal’s ability to address COVID-19, including through the procurement of essential equipment and health supplies, such as oxygen for provincial hospitals and personal protective equipment for health workers," the embassy said in a statement on Friday. 

The financial support would be mobilised through its partners in Nepal in coordination with other donors like the United States, United Kingdom, Japan and United Nations agencies.

Australia’s Ambassador to Nepal, Felicity Volk, said that Australia is working to support the most heavily impacted communities in Nepal. 

“With this assistance, we will partner with the Government of Nepal to respond to urgent health needs, including providing support to regional hospitals and vulnerable communities,” she said.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 22 May 2021.