• The additional contribution will benefit Kenya’s health system at county level and support water and sanitation interventions in potential Covid-19 hotspots
Danish Ambassador to Kenya Mette Knudsen/COURTESY
The embassy of Denmark has announced an additional contribution of approximately Sh513 million to Kenya’s emergency support to the Covid-19 response.
The additional contribution will benefit Kenya’s health system at county level (DKK 23M [Sh356 million]) as well as support water and sanitation interventions in potential Covid-19 hotspots (DKK10M [Sh155 million]). The contribution was approved Thursday last week by the Parliament of Denmark,” the Embassy said in a statement released on their Twitter handle on Tuesday.
The Ambassador of Denmark, Mette Knudsen, said even if the pandemic has also hit er country, it does not stop them from offering a helping hand.
NEW ???????? #COVID19 SUPPORT TO ????????HEALTH, WATER & SANITATION
Amb. @Metknu – “COVID19 pandemic is a global challenge that calls for ???? solidarity. We have decided to provide another contribution of KSH 513M to the people of ???????? during these challenging times” #KomeshaCorona #dkaid pic.twitter.com/pBHn7hLzVE— Denmark in Kenya (@denmarkinkenya) April 21, 2020
So far, there are 7,515 reported cases, 4, 312 recoveries and 364 deaths in Denmark.
Comparatively, Kenya has reported 281 cases, 14 deaths and 6 recoveries.
“The Covid-19 pandemic is a global challenge that calls for global solidarity. Even if the pandemic rages in Denmark, we have decided to provide another contribution of DKK 33 million to the people of Kenya during these challenging times. It is our ambition that the funding will benefit the poor and vulnerable populations the most,” Ambassador Knudsen said in the statement.
The embassy said the additional funding will contribute to pro-poor prevention and response to Covid-19.
“Prevention of the spread through support to provision of water, sanitation and hygiene services to the underserved and unserved vulnerable and highly populated settlements. Response to the health implications of the virus through additional funding to reinforce Kenya’s public health system at county level to strengthen its capacity to deal with Covid-19,” the statement said.
The contribution will benefit Kenya’s public health system at county level through reinforcement of operations and maintenance at level 2 and level 3 health facilities. The new funding will be implemented through existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms such as Danida.
Provision of water, sanitation and hygiene services to vulnerable and highly populated settlements will be implemented through the Water Sector Trust Fund.
The Prliament of Denmark approved a global Covid-19 emergency support package of about Sh10 billion.
Since 2016, Denmark has supported Universal Health Coverage in Kenya directly with about Sh2.5 billion.
The donations are part of the larger multi-donor contribution announced by Denmark, the European Union, Finland and Sweden last week.
