THE CANADIAN government is providing over 1.2 million Canadian dollars (approximately PHP45 million) in assistance to the Philippines' fight against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
"The Covid-19 pandemic is a global threat that does not recognize borders and can only be overcome through coordinated action around the world. The Government of Canada is therefore pleased to partner with the Philippines in its efforts to combat the virus," the Canadian Embassy in Manila said Wednesday.
Part of Canada's aid is the donation of 120,000 N95 masks worth about PHP29.5 million.
Canada is also providing an additional 400,000 Canadian dollars or about PHP15 million to the existing 17.8 million Canadian dollars Sexual Health and Empowerment Philippines (SHE) project with Oxfam to ensure the unhampered provision of sexual and reproductive health services during the pandemic.
"This investment complements ongoing response activities, including the establishment of an emergency hotline for health services and gender-based violence, procurement of PPE (personal protective equipment) for barangay health workers, and distribution of family planning information materials," it said.
The additional funding will support core activities of the SHE project which aims to improve the quality, availability, and uptake of health services of over 85,000 women of reproductive ages as well as adolescent girls and boys in conflict-affected and disadvantaged regions in the Philippines.
Canada is supporting other Southeast Asian nations by providing PPE and capacity-building for the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) BioDiaspora Virtual Centre within the Asean Emergency Operations Centre Network.
The Philippines is also one of the beneficiary-countries identified to receive Covid-19 diagnostic equipment, testing kits, reagents, and laboratory consumables as part of 5 million Canadian dollars global project Canada is funding through the International Atomic Energy Agency. (By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora)
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