24 Apr 2020

ADB pours money into Covid-19 Pacific responses

4:59 pm on 24 April 2020

The ADB has this week announced $US27 million dollars worth of financial assistance to three Pacific countries to help them strenthen their Covid-19 responses.

The Asian Development Bank has this week announced $US27 million dollars worth of financial assistance to three Pacific countries to help them strenthen their Covid-19 responses.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is an Asia regional development organization dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is an Asia regional development organization dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific. Photo: AFP/ Jay Directo

Palau will be able to draw down on a $15 million policy-based loan.

Palau declared a public health emergency on 17 March and the subsequent closure of its borders had put pressure on the country's health system and economy.

A $6 million dollar grant has also been released for the Marshall Islands.

A state of emergency was declared there in February and it had faced similar financial pressures.

The Marshall Islands had already benefitted from a $370,000 grant earlier this month.

The third country to recieve assistance this week was Solomon Islands, in the form of a $3 million grant and a concessional loan of the same value.