New Delhi (NVI): The United States government, through its US Agency for International Development (USAID), today announced two new awards of USD 5 million as continuing support to India’s COVID-19 response.
These new awards were given to Catalyst Management Service’s COVID Action Collaborative (CAC) and the Wadhwani Institute for Artificial Intelligence (Wadhwani AI), the US embassy said in a release.
US Ambassador to India, Kenneth I Juster while speaking at the announcement of awards said, “The United States is pleased to support innovative programs and cutting-edge technologies to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 in India.”
“These awards are another example of American generosity and our commitment to assist each country in combating this pandemic,” he added.
The two-year partnership of USD 3 million with CAC will benefit over 10 million neglected and vulnerable individuals affected by COVID-19 in the country.
It will strengthen the capacity of 100 local organizations, 10 local governments and 15 associations of healthcare providers, small retailers, and street vendors, and will link them with government and private sector resources.
CAC will also provide a platform for industry and development partners to join forces to support COVID-19 mitigation efforts in the country and also to coordinate with other ongoing USAID activities that are addressing the impact of the pandemic and reaching vulnerable populations, the release said.
The US aid agency also awarded USD 2 million to the non-profit research institute Wadhwani AI to develop tools, using mathematical modeling techniques and digital technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning.
These tools will forecast COVID-19 disease patterns, estimate resources needed, and plan interventions.
This increases the total financial assistance provided by the USAID to India for supporting its efforts against the virus to USD 13 million, the release said.
However, the US government continues to demonstrate global leadership in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
-RJV
