WASHINGTON, June 10, 2021 – The World Bank approved additional financing of $25 million from the International Development Association (IDA)* and $4.5 million from the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Trust Fund to help Togo immunize its population against COVID-19 and better respond to public health emergencies.
This additional financing for the COVID-19 Emergency response and System Preparedness Strengthening Project will allow Togo to strengthen the deployment of COVID-19 vaccines and provide an adequate health system for a successful vaccination campaign. It will cover, among other things, the costs of purchasing vaccines, upgrading the cold chain, and strengthening service delivery to ensure effective deployment of vaccines to the target population as presented in Togo's COVID-19 National Vaccination and Deployment Plan.
"Togo has achieved many successes in the management of COVID-19 thanks to the measures taken by the authorities and an adequate screening and management system. Vaccination now gives hope for a quicker return to normal life and an effective revival of economic activities," said Hawa Wague, World Bank Resident Representative for Togo. "This additional funding provides Togo with additional resources to reach the goal of vaccinating at least 60% of its population’’.
The COVID-19 Emergency response and System Preparedness Strengthening Project complements the activities implemented by the Regional Disease Surveillance Systems Improvement Project (REDISSE). It increased the capacity to screen and treat patients through the purchase and installation of a mobile laboratory, the construction of treatment centers, and the provision of state-of-the-art medical equipment. The project also provided technical assistance to all levels of the health system and strengthened the national laboratory system.
World Bank Group COVID-19 Response
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Bank Group has committed over $125 billion to fight the health, economic, and social impacts of the pandemic, the fastest and largest crisis response in its history. The financing is helping more than 100 countries strengthen pandemic preparedness, protect the poor and jobs, and jump start a climate-friendly recovery. The Bank is also providing $12 billion to help low- and middle-income countries purchase and distribute COVID-19 vaccines, tests, and treatments.
* The World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), established in 1960, helps the world’s poorest countries by providing grants and low to zero-interest loans for projects and programs that boost economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve poor people’s lives. IDA is one of the largest sources of assistance for the world’s 75 poorest countries, 39 of which are in Africa. Resources from IDA bring positive change to the 1.5 billion people who live in IDA countries. Since 1960, IDA has supported development work in 113 countries. Annual commitments have averaged about $18 billion over the last three years, with about 54 percent going to Africa.
