US grants $2.9 million to India for fight against coronavirus pandemic

As India grapples with coronavirus pandemic, United States ministration has allocated $2.9 million in financial assistance to country.  $2.9 million aid is a part of $274 million US assistance to as many as 64 countries which are at most risk in face of pandemic.

US has said that funds will help India prepare laboratory systems, activate case finding and event-based surveillance as well as support technical experts for response and preparedness to combat dely virus outbreak.

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"se new pledges include nearly $100 million in emergency health assistance. It also w includes $110 million in new international disaster assistance, which toger with our emergency health funding, will be provided for up to 64 of most at-risk countries," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a press briefing.

"This funding is an initial investment, on top of continuing funding we alrey provide to multilateral organizations such as  World Health Organization and UNICEF," Pompeo furr ded.

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US ministration's anuncement comes at a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, March 28, launched PM CARES Fund wherein citizens can contribute to aide government efforts in supporting those affected by disasters - like current COVID-19 crisis.

 national fund will provide relief to affected people dealing with any kind of emergency or distress situation and PM Modi urged Indians to donate generously. Soon after prime minister's anuncement on Twitter, actor Akshay Kumar pledged to donate Rs 25 crore to fund. Likewise, several popular actors and sports stars also anunced donations for said fund. Also, BJP President JP Nda directed all party MPs to make a contribution to PM's fund.

Coronavirus Crisis in India

India has witnessed a swell in coronavirus cases as number of infected individuals surged to 909 with 19 deaths as on Saturday, March 28, while 79 cases have recovered and been discharged according to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Maharashtra has reported highest number of infected cases with 180 people testing positive for COVID-19.  

Due to Indian government's timely intervention and introduction of preventive measures such as  nationwide lockdown, country's casualty figures and infected cases are much less as compared to or countries, despite being second-most populous country in world and more prone to spre of pandemic; though next three weeks are considered to be critical for India. While developed countries' death toll runs in thousands, India has reported a mer 19 deaths as on date.

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(Im source - PTI)