Qatar's commitment to Covax initiative stressed

Qatar's commitment to Covax initiative stressed

Qatar has stressed its commitment to the Covax global initiative for providing Covid-19 vaccine at an international scale, stressing that the disproportionate negative impact of the pandemic requires paying special attention to the most vulnerable segments, in order to help them stay resilient and recover. This came in the statement of Qatar read on Tuesday by HE the Assistant Foreign Minister and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lolwah bint Rashid AlKhater at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (Ecosoc) Forum, which focuses on development financing in 2021, particularly financing recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. HE AlKhater said Qatar believes its recovery from the pandemic cannot be achieved unless all segments of its society, particularly the most vulnerable, recover as well. She said this was reflected in providing tests and high-quality healthcare to everyone in Qatar, regardless of nationality or residency status, in addition to the national vaccination programme which will cover all targeted segments in the next few months. She said Qatar provided urgent medical aid to around 78 countries all over the world to help them respond to the pandemic, with total governmental and nongovernmental aid exceeding $88mn. She noted that a total of $20mn was allocated for the international alliance for vaccination, in addition to Qatar Fund for Development signing an agreement worth $10mn with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to support its 13th work programme and accelerate the process of providing access to tools that will combat the coronavirus in countries that are most in need.