Australia announces COVID-19 response plan for Bangladesh
DHAKA, Oct 27, 2020 (BSS) – Australia has announced its COVID-19 Development Response Plan for Bangladesh for 2020-2021 focusing on investments in long-term economic growth, underpinned by inclusive education, skills development and private sector engagement.
The COVID-19 Development Response Plan will guide Australia’s whole-of-government response to COVID-19 in Bangladesh over the next two years, a press release issued by the Australian High Commission here said.
Australia will place a strong emphasis on protecting the most vulnerable, especially women and girls, and people with disabilities while humanitarian assistance for displaced Rohingyas and the host community remains a priority in the plan, it added.
The High Commission said Canberra would work in partnership with Dhaka to ensure its COVID-19 programs remain closely aligned with key government initiatives as Australia is committed to supporting Bangladesh’s longer-term development priorities, as outlined in its 8th Five Year Plan.
This COVID-19 Response Plan is part of Australia’s recently released development strategy, Partnerships for Recovery, which outlines how the country will work with its partners across the globe to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Noting that Australia and Bangladesh have shared interests in a secure, prosperous and inclusive Indian Ocean region, the High Commission said Australia appreciates its strong development, people-to-people and trade ties with Bangladesh.
Australia will continue to support Bangladesh through its response and recovery from COVID-19, said the release.