US State Department Provides $100 Million Support to Countries Responding to Novel Coronavirus

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The U.S. government announced on the 7th (local time) that it is prepared to provide $100 million to China and other countries to respond to the novel coronavirus.

Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State, stated in a press release that day, "The United States announces that it is ready to spend $100 million from existing funds to help China and other countries contain the novel coronavirus."

The statement emphasized, "This commitment will demonstrate strong U.S. leadership in response to the novel coronavirus, along with hundreds of millions of dollars in private sector donations from the United States."

Steven Biegun, Deputy Secretary of State, also said in a press briefing that U.S. funding will help support the World Health Organization (WHO)'s response efforts. Deputy Secretary Biegun added that 17.8 tons of medical supplies, including masks and protective equipment, have been sent to China.

Earlier, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated that the global spread of the novel coronavirus has led to a chronic shortage of protective suits, masks, and gloves worldwide.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, "WHO has sent protective equipment to each region," and mentioned, "The demand for test kits and masks has increased up to 100 times, and prices have risen up to 20 times."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.