USAID, UNICEF Provide US$-1-Mil Covid-19 Supplies to Vietnam

USAID and UNICEF provided US$1 million in life-saving Covid-19 supplies to Vietnam.

Hannah Nguyen

ngminhphuong26@gmail.com March 25, 2022 | 17:26

Vietnam had seen a rapid increase in the number of new Covid-19 cases caused by the BA.2 mutation, with a very rapid spread compared to the original Omicron variant. However, the number of Covid-19 hospitalizations has remained low due to the high vaccination rate. This showed the important role of prevention measures and vaccinations.

USAID, UNICEF Provide US$1 Million COVID-19 Supplies to Vietnam

At the event. Source: USAID Vietnam

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) on March 25 marked their provision of US$1 million in life-saving equipment and vaccine administration supplies to Vietnam to assist with its Covid-19 response.

The equipment and supplies, funded by USAID and delivered through UNICEF between November 2021 and February 2022, include 2.5 million syringes, 125,000 N95 face masks, and 250 portable patient monitors.

The donation has come at a timely moment as Vietnam responds to the current Omicron-fueled wave.

Attending the ceremony at the Ministry of Health were USAID Vietnam Mission Director Ann Marie Yastishock, UNICEF Representative to Vietnam Rana Flowers, and the Vice Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan.

"The United States and Vietnam have built on decades of collaboration and friendship, drawing on each other’s strengths and capacities, to jointly identify and address the highest priorities when responding to Covid-19," said USAID Vietnam Mission Director Ann Marie Yastishock.

"USAID’s steadfast commitment to supporting Vietnam’s Covid-19 response, including through partners such as UNICEF, is demonstrated in this ceremony today marking our recent donation of $1 million in life-saving equipment and supplies."

“Today is about reaffirming that while enormous strides have been made, we are not yet at the end of the pandemic — and UNICEF continues to work hand-in-hand with the Ministry of Health of Vietnam and our key partners — to not just focus on the rollout of safe vaccines but to support in every way we can the medical equipment and medicines that are critical to saving lives from Covid-19,” said Rana Flowers, UNICEF Representative.

“USAID has been a long-time partner, including providing support whenever emergency or disaster strikes. UNICEF acknowledges the foresight, commitment, and compassion of all countries and donors who have supported Vietnam — we will get through this by working together.”

Throughout the Covid-19 global pandemic, USAID and UNICEF have worked in partnership with the Ministry of Health to bolster Vietnam’s risk communication and community engagement, and to improve infection prevention, control, and response efforts.

UNICEF, as the primary COVAX partner in-country, has worked to bring in U.S. Government-supported vaccines — totaling more than 33 million to date.

World Vision Vietnam supports the community in preventing the spread of Covid-19 as well as ensuring food security.

In the northern province of Dien Bien, World Vision Vietnam has recently distributed six tons of rice for 600 households with the most vulnerable children in the target communes of Dien Bien Dong district including Luan Gioi, Hang Lia, Phinh Giang, and Xa Dung.

With a total value of approximately US$ 4,533, the rice received will contribute to mitigating the food difficulties of local people, especially after the long-term impacts left by the Covid-19 pandemic on people's lives since 2020.

This activity is part of World Vision Vietnam's series of efforts to support the community to respond to and recover from the impacts of the pandemic.

Up to now, more than US$ 2,894,152 has been disbursed to repair the damages caused by Covid-19 on people's lives in World Vision Vietnam's project sites nationwide.