The US has decided to grant USD 2 million as economic support funding to the Maldives.
US Department of State made the announcement in a statement issued detailing aid for countries hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The State Department said the funding provided by Congress, will save lives by improving public health education, protecting healthcare facilities, and increasing laboratory, disease-surveillance, and rapid-response capacity in more than 120 countries.
While the US decided to financially support countries, the aid is being allocated for 26 Asian countries including the Maldives. As part of the assistance, USD 2 million will be granted to the Maldives as economic support funding to support the expansion of social protection services led by local civil society organisations and assist them to advocate effectively for COVID-19 recovery policies. The assistance will also include technical support to the government, private sector, and financial institutions to support hard-hit businesses.
In a tweet posted following the announcement, Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid expressed gratitude for the US government and highlighted the strong ties between both countries.