Sebastian Molineus: Georgians Have Shown Incredible Discipline, Resilience

"To begin with, I wanted to very sincerely extend my appreciation for all the doctors and healthcare workers on the frontline, who are just doing an extraordinary and heroic job. And I also wanted to very much demonstrate my appreciation for the people of Georgia, who have shown incredible discipline and resilience through a very difficult COVID-19 pandemic," Sebastian Molineus, World Bank Regional Director, said in his video address while discussing the World Bank's COVID-19 Rapid Response Package (FTCF). 

"It is with this in mind that we at the World Bank are incredibly proud to announce a 180 million dollar package that we’re delivering along with our partners the AIIB, in support of the health sector as well as the social protection measures. In particular, we are going to be supporting the financing of medical equipment, personal protection equipment for health workers, lung machines, ventilators, oxygen machines, and very importantly, testing kits as well, to help stem and combat the virus. And also, equally important, we are going to be supporting a number of measures to support the vulnerable individuals who have lost their jobs through targeted social assistance, as well as cash transfers to the most vulnerable.

"Now, this is part of a larger program in which we’re targeting, to begin with, the people of Georgia, through the health and the social protection measures, second, the government of Georgia, through budget support measures, and third and finally, to the private sector, to support those micro, small and medium size enterprises that have been particularly hard hit because of the virus, sectors such as tourism and agriculture, as well as trade.

"Finally, I would like to conclude by wishing that we continue to collaborate across all public, private sector entities as well as the international community. I honestly believe that if we come together and fight this virus, that we can come out of this stronger," the World Bank Regional Director elaborated. 

The World Bank will provide $80 million to strengthen Georgia's response to COVID-19. A package of financial support has been allocated to help the government to mitigate the health and social impacts of the coronavirus. This funding is part of the World Bank's COVID-19 Rapid Response Package (FTCF). The World Bank is also cooperating with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to provide an additional $100 million under a joint co-finance arrangement.

Related Story: World Bank to Allocate $80 mln in Support of Georgia's Fight against COVID-19