FACT SHEET #1, FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2021
JULY 2, 2021
The number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases have steadily decreased in Europe and Eurasia1 since April. However, despite falling infections, the health care systems in many central and eastern European countries continue to struggle to respond to the pandemic due to weak infrastructure and lack of access to COVID-19 vaccines, resulting in low vaccination rates compared to western European nations.
In response, the U.S. Government (USG)—including USAID—is seeking to reduce COVID-19 cases and mortality in Europe and Eurasia while limiting the negative impacts of the pandemic on societies. Working with UN agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), USAID aims to facilitate widespread and equitable access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines; reduce morbidity and mortality from COVID-19, limit transmission, and strengthen health care systems; address immediate needs resulting from the pandemic; and support economies and other stressed systems to promote holistic recovery.
To date, the USG has announced the donation of 80 million vaccine doses from its domestic stock and provision of an additional 500 million Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine doses to COVAX to support 92 low- and middle-income countries and African Union members. This includes vaccine doses to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine.
Across the region, USAID is supporting national governments to develop response and vaccination plans and working with implementing partners to train health care workers, distribute hygiene commodities and medical supplies, and improve access to critical services negatively affected by the pandemic.
