SARS-CoV-2 virus test in Việt Nam. — VNA/VNS Photo

WASHINTON — Việt Nam will receive an aid package worth US$9.5 million to cope with COVID-19, including $5 million for economic assistance funds, according to the US Department of State.

The funds will be used to provide essential resources for immediate assistance to revive the private sector by minimising the financial impact caused by the pandemic on small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), address the non-financial effects that these SMEs are facing, and cooperate with the Vietnamese Government’s stakeholders to strengthen the Government’s bailout intervention.

The US aid package also includes a previously announced $4.5 million medical assistance for the Vietnamese Government to prepare a laboratory system and activate a surveillance system of suspected cases. It also covers the support for experts in response to COVID-19, education, and community-based engagement to prevent the spread of the disease at entry points and public heathcare facilities.

Over the past 20 years, the US has provided Việt Nam with more than $1.8 billion, including more than $706 million for health.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the US Government has pledged $775 million for medical emergency, humanitarian, economic and developmental assistance to help governments, international organisations and non-governmental organisations to beat the pandemic. — VNS