SAARC CORONA EMERGENCY FUND
SAARC FIGHTS CORONAVIRUS
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a video conference with SAARC heads proposed an emergency fund to combat coronavirus (COVID-19) & India announced USD$ 100 million as an initial contribution to support the initiative & Mr. Modi stated that the contribution to the emergency fund would be voluntary.
The purpose of this fund is to tackle and mitigate the risks associated with the coronavirus pandemic in the South Asian region. Other member nations welcomed the decision of Modi for the proposal of coronavirus emergency fund.
As of 23 March 2020, the Emergency fund had accumulated sum of USD$ 18.3 billion with the pool of contributions from seven member countries except Pakistan.
| SAARC Members | Represented by | Title | COVID-19 Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Ashraf Ghani | President | US$1 MILLION |
| Bangladesh | Sheikh Hasina | Prime Minister | US$1.5 MILLION |
| Bhutan | Tshering Tobgay | Prime Minister | US$100,000 |
| India | Narendra Modi | Prime Minister | US$10 MILLION |
| Maldives | Abdulla Yameen | President | US$200,000 |
| Nepal | K. P. Sharma Oli | Prime Minister | US$1 MILLION |
| Pakistan | Nawaz Sharif | Prime Minister | 0 (NIL) |
| Sri Lanka | Gotabaya Rajapaksa | President | US$5 MILLION |
SAARC COVID-19 MEET TIMELINE
I would like to propose that the leadership of SAARC nations chalk out a strong strategy to fight Coronavirus.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 13, 2020
We could discuss, via video conferencing, ways to keep our citizens healthy.
Together, we can set an example to the world, and contribute to a healthier planet.
Thank you PM @narendramodi for taking the initiative on this important endeavor. Covid 19 requires collective effort to defeat it. Maldives welcomes this proposal and would fully support such a regional effort. https://t.co/2fxQxe9w1h
— Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (@ibusolih) March 13, 2020
The Afghan Government has just approved a contribution of One Million USD to the COVID-19 Emergency Fund as per the discussions in SAARC heads of nations VTC, believing in joint collaboration, and strengthening partnership to fight this pandemic. https://t.co/jK4zaYVha5
— Sediq Sediqqi (@SediqSediqqi) March 21, 2020
Thank you. The amount may be small but it is contributed with lots of prayers and affection from all Bhutanese for the larger interest of the people in the region. This noble initiative of PM @narendramodi will be of huge help to those more needy. https://t.co/OC4SmEQjme
— PM Bhutan (@PMBhutan) March 21, 2020
HPM Sheikh Hasina welcomes the proposal and look forward to a constructive dialogue with @narendramodi @ibusolih @PM_Nepal @PMBhutan @GotabayaR n others HOSs/HOGs who already consented to discuss way forward at this testing time for the region and the world. https://t.co/62Jl506UsI
— Md. Shahriar Alam (@MdShahriarAlam) March 13, 2020
#LKA is pleased to contribute $5mn to the #SAARC #COVID19 Emergency Fund, in response to the proposal mooted by PM @narendramodi. I wish all member countries, the very best in their endeavors. As a region, we stand together in this crisis and #TogetherWeCan overcome pic.twitter.com/HPSPZahZ5o
— Gotabaya Rajapaksa (@GotabayaR) March 23, 2020
I welcome the idea advanced by Prime Minister Modiji @narendramodi for chalking out a strong strategy by the leadership of the SAARC nations to fight Coronavirus. My government is ready to work closely with SAARC Member States to protect our citizens from this deadly disease.
— KP Sharma Oli (@PM_Nepal) March 13, 2020