United States Provides Additional $6.7 Million for COVID Assistance in Zambia

LUSAKA - The U.S. Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has provided an additional ZMK 112 million ($6.7 million) in COVID-19 assistance for Zambia. 

USAID will continue to work in partnership with the Zambia Ministry of Health (MOH), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health partners to boost access to oxygen supplies and essential medicines; support patient management and the hiring of additional doctors and nurses; and increase support for community awareness and engagement by providing accurate information on COVID-19 and how communities and individuals can protect themselves.

“American leadership is rising up to meet unprecedented global health challenges,” said USAID/Zambia Mission Director Sheryl Stumbras. “With decades of experience and investments in health, USAID has led the global response to health threats like Ebola, malaria, and tuberculosis. Today, we are responding decisively to COVID-19.”

The United States is working quickly to get safe and effective vaccines to as many people as possible with the understanding that increasing global vaccination coverage is the best way out of this pandemic. Since the global outbreak of the pandemic, the United States, through multiple government agencies and initiatives including CDC, Department of Defense, Department of State, USAID, and the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), has provided more than $28 million to fight COVID-19 in Zambia.

In addition, the U.S. has provided financing through the Global Fund to Fight Against AIDS, TB, and Malaria, COVAX, Gavi, and other multilateral partners to support the COVID-19 response here in Zambia and around the world. USAID’s support complements the national effort to vaccinate Zambians against COVID-19, as vaccination is free of cost, available throughout the country and effective in preventing severe illness and death.

We encourage all Zambians to get vaccinated. Find the vaccination center closest to you by checking with the Ministry of Health and through resources provided on the Zambia National Public Health Institute websites and social media platforms or by dialing the national toll-free COVID-19 hotline at 909.