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The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank approved, Friday, July 24, in Abidjan, budget support of US $ 14.28 million to the Central African Republic to finance its Support Program in response to the Covid-19 pandemic (PABRC-RCA). The Banks financial assistance consists of a grant of $ 6.12 million from the African Development Fund and another grant of $ 8.16 million from the Technical Assistance Fund. To support the efforts of the Central African government in the implementation of its response plan, the main objectives of the PABRC-RCA program are to support the validation of the health response plan, the strengthening of reception capacities for patients suffering from Covid- 19, strengthening testing capacity, with an increase in the number of laboratories and training of health personnel in the treatment of infections linked to the novel coronavirus. Screening capacities should thus increase to reach at least 500 tests per day, and the capacity to respond to emergency health situations be strengthened. In this context, the African Development Bank will support the construction, renovation and supply of equipment for at least five reception centers for patients, at least five laboratories capable of detecting the virus and the training of more than 300 health workers. health, of which at least 50% are women, to infection prevention. The PABRC-RCA program will also provide direct support to the most vulnerable households. About 500 farms, half of which are headed by women, will benefit from sustainable agricultural inputs and 1,000 households, with 50% of women at their head, will receive food kits. In addition, nearly 200 large and medium-sized enterprises will benefit from tax measures in order to be able to restart their production activity under more favorable conditions and thus guarantee the preservation of jobs. “In a country already affected by a humanitarian and security crisis, this support is important because it will contribute to the efforts aimed at cushioning the health and social impact of this pandemic, but also will make it possible to preserve the economic gains with a view to post-crisis recovery. Covid-19, ”said Moustapha Doukouré, senior governance and economic management officer at the African Development Bank. As of July 21, 2020, the Central African Republic had, according to the World Health Organization, 4,561 confirmed cases of Covid-19 contamination, including 1,411 people cured and 55 deaths. |
