Staff conduct disinfection on a street in Abuja, Nigeria, April 2, 2020. (Xinhua/Olatunji Obasa)
The World Bank has released 82 million U.S. dollars for immediate support in strengthening Nigeria's public health response through the Regional Disease Surveillance System Enhancement Project.
LAGOS, April 8 (Xinhua) -- The World Bank has released 82 million U.S. dollars for immediate support in strengthening Nigeria's public health response through the Regional Disease Surveillance System Enhancement Project (REDISSE).
The bank made this known in a statement released in Abuja, Nigeria's capital on Tuesday.
The bank said it had also been asked to provide a multi-pronged package of support over the next six months to strengthen the country's preparedness for the immediate health crisis.
The World Bank would also provide the federal government with budget support for a pro-poor stimulus package and the long term recovery, the statement said.
"Efforts to protect livelihoods and support local economic activities over the next 18 to 24 months will be critical in mitigating the economic and human impact of the COVID-19 pandemic," it added.
Security personnel barricade the ever-busy Lagos Ibadan expressway during a lockdown in Lagos, Nigeria, March 31, 2020. (Xinhua/Emmanuel)
"Together with partners, the bank is discussing with the states and relevant federal agencies how best to protect livelihoods of poor and vulnerable families and support micro, small and medium enterprises to enable recovery," the bank said.
"Through the REDISSE project, about 10.6 million U.S. dollars has already been committed to supporting the Nigeria Center for Disease Control in strengthening states' emergency operation center, building, renovating and providing equipment for treatment centers across eight states, as well as bringing in essential medical supplies and drugs, testing kits, personal protective equipment for frontline health workers" it added. ■
