Business View Caribbean | April/May 2022

14 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 9, ISSUE 4 GENT The funding will fill key gaps to accelerate COVID-19 vaccine uptake, and strengthen countries’ preparedness for future pandemic threats threats.” This additional assistance builds on previous COVID-19 support provided to Caribbean countries. USAID has provided nearly $63 million in COVID-19 assistance to the Caribbean to address the health, humanitarian, and economic impacts of COVID-19. This includes more than $7 million specifically for the Eastern and Southern Caribbean region since the beginning of the pandemic. USAID’s COVID-19 assistance to Caribbean countries has allowed for the procurement of more than 7,000 test kits and more than 3,000 pieces of protective gear for health workers. Through the United States Government’s assistance, these countries have also received ambulances and vehicles for patient transport. In addition, communications campaigns to promote health and safety have reached more than 1.2 million people. Finally, the funds have facilitated the provision of psychosocial support for more than 95,000 parents and caregivers, as well as assisted with the installation of more than 300 handwashing stations across the Caribbean. Diseases know no borders. The United States Government is committed to partnering with their Caribbean neighbors, partners, and friends to end the COVID-19 pandemic, save lives, and stop the threat of dangerous new variants. U.S. Embassy in Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean, and the OECS Institute, Inc. U.S. Ambassador to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, Linda Taglialatela, remarked, “Through this funding, the United States is extending a helping hand to countries to aid in health and economic recovery from the devastation of COVID-19.” USAID Regional Representative for the Eastern and Southern Caribbean, Clinton. D. White, noted, “The funding will fill key gaps to accelerate COVID-19 vaccine uptake, and strengthen countries’ preparedness for future pandemic