The World Bank has approved an additional US$6 million in financing to support affordable and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines and ensure effective vaccine deployment in Guyana through the Guyana COVID-19 Emergency Response project.

Guyana had previously received US$7.5 Million.

The project will also support general preparedness, resilience, and overall health system strengthening.

“An efficient and equitable rollout of COVID-19 vaccines will be critical to save lives and restore economic activities in Guyana,” Ozan Sevimli, World Bank Resident Representative for Jamaica and Guyana said adding that “The World Bank is closely coordinating with development partners and Government of Guyana counterparts to support the vaccination campaign, and long-term improvements to the country’s healthcare system.” 

In a release the World Bank said the pandemic has had socioeconomic impacts, including job losses, which disproportionately affect women.

This additional financing the World Bank said will fund the acquisition of COVID-19 vaccines and  help the Government of Guyana strengthen health system functions that are necessary for immunization, such as vaccine awareness communication, human resources, information systems, and waste management.

The additional financing to this project also aims to increase overall health system preparedness to tackle future emergencies.  

The original project was approved in November 2020 to support Guyana’s pandemic response and strengthen the country’s health system. US$5 million of the additional financing approved today comes from the International Development Association (IDA).

Guyana receives interest-free financing from IDA, with a maturity of 40 years, including a grace period of 10 years. An additional US$1 million is a grant from the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Multi-Donor Trust Fund.

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