Sonam Deki/ Thimphu Through SAARC Development Fund’s Social Window, SDF released the first tranche of Nu. 36.66 million (M) to Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Emergency Grant. SDF has committed Nu 73.31 M to Bhutan, the remaining amount would be disbursed upon 80 percent utilization of the first tranche. The Officer-in-Charge of SDF, Mr. Anuj Goel, presented a cheque of USD 0.5 million (Nu 36.66 million), the first tranche of the grant amount, to the Health Secretary Dr. Pandup Tshering. With the first tranche, Health Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Pandup Tshering informed that MoH will further strengthen its’ response to COVID-19. He also added that MoH will also set up ICU for COVID centre at the Eastern Regional Referral Hospital in Mongar. The funding will also support purchase of PPE kits, ventilator machines, testing kits, and in further strengthening surveillance, and training of the health staff, according to the health secretary. The fund was allocated to augment COVID-19 response across SDF member states. “We hope that our support will strengthen COVID-19 response in Bhutan and augment the continuous efforts of all the Member States towards protecting the people of this region during these difficult times,” said Officer-In-Charge, SDF and Director, Social Window, Mr. Anuj Goel. He also stated that SDF is happy to provide support to the member countries during these difficult times. Anuj Goel further added that SDF’s COVID-19 funding will provide Member States with emergency support to enhance the capacity of the frontline workers and health personnel, and help procure important medical goods and supplies. The Project Financing Agreement (PFA) was executed between SDF and MoH this week, the signing also marks the implementation of the project. This USD 1 million COVID-19 grant to Bhutan is part of the USD 7.75 M, which the SDF Board had approved last year as COVID-19 Emergency Grant to the SAARC Member States to support the countries in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The project is funded under SDF’s Social Window – under health thematic area. Meanwhile, SAARC Development Fund received project proposals from seven of the eight Member States – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka for the COVID-19 Grant. The SDF board had approved the grant last year as a COVID-19 emergency grant to the SAARC member countries to combat the pandemic.