US pledges $6 million more to aid Pakistan's fight against Covid-19

US has now committed a total of $21 million since it declared Pakistan a 'priority country for coronavirus response'

The United States on Sunday announced a $6 million contribution to aid Pakistan's fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

Washington's ambassador to Islamabad, Paul Jones, made the announcement during a video message released to wish the people of Pakistan on the occasion of Eidul Fitr.

“I would like to congratulate Pakistanis on the completion of Ramazan – on behalf of all of us at the US Mission to Pakistan.  We admire those who fasted and helped others during Ramazan while looking forward to the joyous celebration of Eid.”

“I would like to congratulate all Pakistanis on the completion of Ramazan,” said #AmbJones in his #EidUlFitr video. The Ambassador also announced a new U.S. contribution of $6 million to strengthen Pakistan’s response to coronavirus. #EidMubarak #HappyEid #Partners4Prosperity pic.twitter.com/8C6F3YG6AF

— U.S. Embassy Islamabad (@usembislamabad) May 24, 2020

The $6 million contribution to Pakistan will strengthen the country's "response by expanding training for healthcare workers who take care of patients in hospitals with severe cases of coronavirus; preventing the spread of coronavirus in healthcare facilities; and providing a fourth mobile lab to test and treat Pakistanis living in virus hotspots".

The US government has now committed a total of $21 million since it declared Pakistan a 'priority country for coronavirus response'.

Jones also thanked Islamabad for its recent delivery of medical supplies as a gesture of friendship and partnership between the two countries.

Earlier on May 22,

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday thanked Pakistan for donating personal protective equipment (PPE) to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

He said this gesture is a symbol of US-Pakistan solidarity in the fight against Covid-19.