PM-proposed SAARC emergency fund to combat coronavirus operationalised: MEA

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said that "very fast" movement was being me on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposals put forward during a SAARC nations' video-conference on coronavirus, with emergency fund to combat pandemic in region alrey operationalised.

SAARC nations vowed on Sunday to jointly combat coronavirus as Modi proposed an emergency fund with an initial offer of USD 10 million from India.

prime minister me a series of suggestions that were hailed by South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) leers and representatives.

"I can anunce that we are moving very fast on most of those proposals and anuncements. On emergency fund, it is alrey up and running. We have received many requests from or SAARC countries for assistance in form of masks, shoe covers, gloves, disinfectants and or items," MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

" quantum of assistance, which has been requested (from India) so far, has crossed USD 1 million. Supplies to Bhutan and Maldives have been dispatched. Requests from or SAARC countries are under various sts of process," he ded.

During video-conference, Modi h also said India was assembling a rapid response team of doctors and specialists, along with testing kits and or equipment. y will be on stand-by, to be placed at SAARC leers' disposal, if required, he h told participants.

On rapid response team, Kumar said India h received informal requests from Maldives and Nepal and those were being followed up.

He said in line with prime minister's proposal of sharing of best practices, a video-conference was being scheduled in next few days of health professionals of SAARC countries.

"Action on or elements of anuncement has alrey been initiated by respective ministries," Kumar said.

Dammu Ravi, ditional Secretary in MEA and coordinator for COVID-19, said Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla will participate in a video-conference to take forward SAARC nations' initiative in combating coronavirus.

Kumar said prime minister h called for video-conference in spirit that a crisis of this magnitude did t recognise borders and required a very coordinated response.

"It requires a response where you have to cooperate at regional and global levels," he said.

Apart from Modi, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Nepalese Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli, Bhutanese premier Lotay Tshering, Bangleshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Special Assistant to Pakistani Prime Minister on Health Zafar Mirza h participated in video-conference. PTI ASK RC