CONTACTS: +254 726879488 (Mobile)
+254770 455 116 (Office)
126By Steve Umidha
The European Union (EU) and six member countries have made available an initial package of up to Sh16Billion to assist regional countries coping with the health and economic impacts of the global outbreak.
The financing deal which saw Kenya receive Sh2.4billion is designed to help the country take effective action to respond to and lessen impacts posed by the COVID-19 as well as boost food security in the country and neighboring countries.
EU, together with Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Sweden and Denmark in a joint statement said the funding will go assist farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs in the fight against locusts, humanitarian aid and epidemic control measures.
“Concretely, the European support for food and nutrition security covers financial and logistical support to farmers and small and medium enterprises, including getting seeds and foddering for their livestock. The purpose of the support is to strengthen value chains in the horticulture, dry land crops and dairy sectors,” the statement read, adding that the fund’s aim is to build resilience and ensure longer-term food security.
Last month The World Bank Group Board of Directors approved $50 million in immediate funding to support Kenya’s response to the global COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic under operation, the Kenya COVID -19 Emergency Response Project.
The project will provide emergency funding for medical diagnostic services, surveillance and response, capacity building, quarantine, isolation and treatment centers, medical waste disposal, risk communications and community engagement as well as for strengthening of the country’s capacity to provide safe blood services.
The project is being implemented in all 47 counties – with key beneficiaries being the infected persons, at-risk populations, medical and emergency personnel, medical and testing facilities, and national health agencies.