Vulnerable families and people with disabilities in Tajikistan will receive one-off financial aid to undertake coronavirus preventive measures. The amount of this aid is still unknown.
The funds will be allocated at the expense of a grant financing from the International Development Association (IDA) for the Tajikistan Emergency COVID-19 Project, Finance Minister Faiziddin Qahhorzoda told reporters on the sidelines of a regular sitting of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) that took place on April 8.
According to him, some 3 million USD of the grant will be used to finance emergency cash transfers primarily targeting the poorest and most vulnerable sections of society.
The Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population, which has the list of recipients, will be engaged in distributing the funds, Qahhorzoda said. He expressed confidence that the aid distribution process will be transparent.
Recall, the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors on April 2 approved $11.3 million in grant financing from the International Development Association for the Tajikistan Emergency COVID-19 Project, which will support the country’s efforts to prepare for and respond effectively to the health and social risks associated with the global COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.
The financing will help establish around 100 new, fully equipped Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds in health facilities across Tajikistan, and strengthen the health system’s capacity to treat individuals infected with COVID-19. Urgently needed supplies to help detect and prevent COVID-19 will also be procured, including testing kits, laboratory reagents, and personal protective equipment for medical personnel. ICU staff will receive training in COVID-19 care and infection prevention, as well as longer-term capacity-building in critical care provision.
The project will also finance communication activities, through the media and local communities, to ensure the public has up-to-date information on the pandemic and about preventive measures such as regular handwashing.
In addition, to help offset the potential impacts of the pandemic on the poorest and most vulnerable in society, some emergency cash transfers will also be financed, primarily targeting food-insecure families with young children, in case they are unable to cope with rising food prices. These transfers could also help counter potentially increased risks of under-nutrition among families during the crisis.
