Islamabad, 25th March 2020
On the directives of the Honorable Prime Minister of Pakistan, the Board of National Disaster Risk Management Fund (NDRMF) has approved grant financing of US$ 50 Million to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to supplement Government’s response for prevention and spread of Covid-19 outbreak in the country.
In wake of the declaration of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Government of Pakistan (GOP) has declared a National Health Emergency of Public Concern on 13 March 2020. With the growing number of confirmed cases of coronavirus patients every day, the situation warrants a high level of preparedness and preemptive measures to control the spread of virus.
In order to supplement GOP efforts, NDRMF has approved project aimed to ‘enhance Pakistan’s capacity for preparedness and response for Covid-19 ‘with a total project cost of PKR 7,899.999 Million (the US $ 50.0 million), submitted by NDMA with the assistance of the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination (M/o NHRS&C).
Based on 3 months country’s requirements of health products, the project is based on six months duration with an objective to effectively respond to minimize the impact of Corona, through surveillance strengthening, case management, infection prevention and protection of medical and paramedical staff through the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other materials for Covid-19 response. NDRMF completed all its procedural steps related to project review and approval, in less than 24 hours and has confirmed its grant financing of US $ 50.0 million for the project to NDMA by signing a tripartite agreement between NDRMF, NDMA, and Ministry of health being signed today.
Taking a self-initiative on the directions of Board, NDRMF engaged with NDMA, and Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination (M/o NHRS&C) and help them to figure out the immediate requirements of health equipment and productions, including but not limited to Testing kits, Viral RNA Extraction Kits, Mobile X-ray machines, Clinical ICU Ventilators, Syringe Pumps, N 95 Masks, Tyvek suit (protection suits for health care), Thermal Guns & Scanners which the country would be needing under 0-3 months caseload, through various inter-ministerial consultative dialogues. NDRMF’s Board also simplified Fund’s procedures and prescribed formats, for easing out the proponents to submit brief project proposals with fewer efforts enabling them to achieve the grant financing in the shortest possible time, thus succeeding taking time-bound preventive actions.
Out of the said financial commitment, pursuant to the directives of NDRMF Board, Fund has already deposited PKR.3,200,002,916 (the US $ 20 Million) in the Consolidated (Non-Food) Account No. 1 of the Government of Pakistan through Federal Treasury Office, from the profits that had been accrued from its Endowment Fund. Whereas, the US $ 30.00 million shall be made available from Asian Development Bank’s Loan for NDRMF in the aforesaid account shortly.
Furthermore, as per directives of the National Security Council, NDMA being the lead agency to coordinate Covid-19 response will be responsible for the overall management of the project, including procurement, quality assurance, inventory and supply chain management, reporting, oversight, monitoring, and Financial & Audit arrangements. To ensure the technical and other requirements NDMA will work in close coordination with M/o NHSRC and other stakeholders.
The government is approaching the challenge with a multi-pronged approach, including preventive measures, containment efforts, and treatment of infected. In this context, NDRMF is being approached by the national and provincial entities to support preparatory efforts. In the given circumstances, the GOP and Board of Directors (BoDs) of NDRMF considered Fund is the right vehicle that can be used to support the government’s initiatives for the prevention of coronavirus spread.
