Switzerland will provide additional 9.8 million Swiss Francs or approximately Tk 90 crore to scale up its support for an effective community-based response as Covid-19 cases are again on the rise in Bangladesh.

With these additional funds, Switzerland broadens its engagement with national and international partner organizations, in close collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh, to help local communities curb the spread of the virus and reinforce socioeconomic resilience.

Read:Nationwide mass vaccination to resume Thursday

Since the first outbreak of the pandemic in April last year, Switzerland has earmarked 17 million Swiss Francs (Tk 160 crore) to over 20 projects across Bangladesh, reaching the most vulnerable and remote communities and supporting organizations working at the frontline.

These interventions have proven to be efficient in delivering timely remedy against the negative impacts of the pandemic, said the Swiss Embassy in Dhaka on Thursday.

Read:80pc people to be vaccinated by March: Zahid Maleque

So far, with Swiss support, around 1.5 million people were sensitized and trained on upholding hygiene standards; 1 million people received telemedicine services for better treatment of COVID-19; 130’000 slum dwellers received hygiene kits and 80’000 gained access to handwashing facilities; 115’000 people received cash and 60’000 food or vitamin contributions, it said.

Moreover, four helplines were established, offering psychosocial and legal support to survivors of gender based violence.

Read: Bangladesh going to receive large Covid vaccine shipment from China soon

Moving ahead, ensuring vaccines for all is key to find a way out of this unprecedented global crisis, said the Embassy.

Following the pledge of an additional 300 million Swiss Francs to the COVAX facility, the Federal Council yesterday announced the donation of 4 million Astra Zeneca vaccines to this multilateral initiative. This will help get more Covid-19 vaccines deployed more quickly to developing countries.