Afghanistan, Maldives pledge $1.2 million to SAARC Coronavirus Emergency Fund

Afghanistan and Maldives on March 21 pledged to contribute USD 1.2 million to SAARC Corona Emergency Fund proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A spokesperson for President of Afghanistan Sediq Sediqqi reportedly said that Afghan government believed in joint collaboration and strengning partnership to fight rapidly spre coronavirus. Sediqqi in a tweet wrote that Afghanistan government approved a one million USD contribution to emergency fund. 

RE: Bhutan Pledges USD 100,000 To SAARC Corona Emergency Fund

Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid also took to Twitter to anunce that country will be joining initiative to tackle challenges posed by Coronavirus pandemic. Shahid wrote that country will be contributing USD 200,000 to tackle virus outbreak. 

Earlier this week, Bhutan and Nepal also pledged nearly USD one million and USD 100,000 respectively to SAARC Corona Emergency Fund. Modi said that it was wonderful to see SAARC leers taking initiatives that are ding strength to collective fight against Coronavirus. 

RE: PM-proposed SAARC Emergency Fund To Combat Coronavirus Operationalised: MEA

‘Must work toger’

Modi, on March 15, dressed a SAARC video conference to share each or efforts and issues as seven countries battle pandemic. video conference was led by PM Modi and was attended by Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani, Maldives President Ibrahim Solih, Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Banglesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bhutan Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering, Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's assistant - Dr Zafar Mirza. PM Modi highlighted SAARC's ancient ties and said that 'we must work and succeed toger'. 

Globally, around 11,800 people have died due to Coronavirus, with epicentre being China. virus has infected around 2,87,000 people globally and has w spre to rth America, South America, Europe, New Zealand, and more than 100 or countries.

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RE: Emergency SAARC Fund Proposed By PM Modi Operationalised: MEA