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World Bank approves $90 million for Iran to fight against Covid
The Asharq Al-Awsat reported that the World Bank has approved $90 million in additional financing for Iran, to help fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
A World Bank spokesperson said, the Washington-based development lender's board of directors approved the aid on December 21, which "will be utilized only for procuring additional lifesaving, essential medical equipment to strengthen Iran's pandemic response."
The spokesperson said: "This funding will not go to the Iranian budget and all loan proceeds, as well as procurement and disbursements, are being managed by the World Health Organization."
The AFP reported, the World Bank had in May 2020 extended Tehran $50 million via the Iran Covid-19 Emergency Response Project, which the spokesperson said was carried out "on an exceptional basis" due to the pandemic.
The spokesperson called Iran "the epicenter of Covid-19 infections in the region" and said quelling the virus there would benefit its neighbors, particularly as the Omicron variant threatens to cause a new wave of cases.
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The spokesperson said: "World Bank support for Iran's Covid-19 response will help mitigate the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the country as well as limit the spread of the disease beyond its borders."
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According to data from Johns Hopkins University, Iran has suffered nearly 132,000 deaths from Covid-19 and more than 6.2 million cases.
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The World Bank spokesperson noted that "distribution and installation of equipment will take place at health facilities approved by the World Bank and will be subject to independent monitoring and verification."
Source: aawsat
