The Government of India has approved US$1 million for community development projects in Antigua and Barbuda, in the context of the current situation of COVID-19, with an immediate assistance of US$150,000 for medical supplies and equipment.
Given the extraordinary situation relating to the COVID-19 fallout and the urgent humanitarian nature of the crisis, a request for immediate assistance was received from Antigua and Barbuda through the UN Office for South South Cooperation (UNOSSC), for the procurement of ventilators and other medical equipment.
The assistance is being extended, considering the urgent nature of the request involving procurement of life-saving equipment.
The proposal was jointly coordinated by the High Commission of India in Guyana and Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations in New York along with the Foreign Ministry of Antigua and Barbuda and its Permanent Mission to UN in New York.
The ‘in principle’ approval for the grant as requested by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda has been conveyed to the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC).
Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi has been interacting with a number of world leaders in connection with India’s initiatives and efforts to fight the global pandemic of COVID-19 together.
Modi had met the CARICOM leaders in the first India-CARICOM Summit held on Sept. 25, 2019 on the sidelines of the UNGA in New York.
During the meeting, Modi had made three offers of assistance to CARICOM coutnries:
(i) US$ 14 million Grant (US$ 1million per CARICOM member state) for quick impact community development projects in CARICOM countries.
(ii) US$ 150 million Line of Credit (US$ 10 million per CARICOM member state) for CARICOM countries for solar energy and climate change related projects.
(iii) Special capacity building courses, training and deputation of experts based on the needs and requirements of the CARICOM countries.
In response to the above offers of assistance, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda had submitted a proposal in early April for assistance and collaboration under a project entitled ‘Strengthening national Health capacities and reducing socio-economic and human development negative impacts of COVID-19 crisis in Antigua and Barbuda’.
The project was received under India-UN Development Partnership Fund, which is managed by the UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC).
India well in need of the same monies.