Modi proposes COVID-19 Emergency Fund for SAARC India to contribute US$ 10m

Setopati

Kathmandu, March 15

Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi has proposed to create a COVID-19 Emergency Fund during the video conferencing among SAARC leaders Sunday evening.

"It is clear that we have to work together. We can respond best by – Coming together not growing apart ; Collaboration not Confusion ; Preparation not Panic," Modi said addressing the conference.

"I propose we create a COVID-19 Emergency Fund. This could be based on voluntary contributions from all of us. India can start with an initial offer of 10 million US dollars for this fund."

He pointed that the SAARC region has reported fewer than 150 cases despite COVID-19 recently being classified by the World Health Orgaization as a pandemic, but stressed that the region needs to remain vigilant.

PM KP Sharma Oli, President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Bhutanese PM Lotay Tshering, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and Special Assistant to Pakistani PM on Health Dr Zafar Mirza also participated in the video conferencing.

Published Date: 2020-03-15 19:34:00

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