Remote training in China to fight coronavirus, and other news (21 February 2020)

The United Nations provide emergency assistance to China to fight coronavirus, and a shift in development assistance in Cambodia

Each week we highlight some of the international development stories from across the globe that have caught our attention:

  • The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) is to provide 100,00 medical masks and 20,00 protective suits, along with medical waste decontamination equipment, to China as emergency assistance to help fight the outbreak of coronavirus. Remote training materials will also be provided to enable hospitals in rural areas manage the virus. Read more in Modern Diplomacy.

Our recent blog examines how to build the preparedness of health systems to manage shocks like Covid-19, setting out the latest thinking and evidence from our flagship MAINTAINS project:

[button-link text="Read our blog on managing shocks in health systems" link="https://www.opml.co.uk/blog/what-does-it-take-to-build-the-preparedness-of-health-systems-to-manage-shocks-like-covid-19"]

  • Japan’s International Cooperation Agency has noted that following a focus on hard infrastructure policy over the last thirty years, it’s development assistance in Cambodia will now shift towards greater governance and technical assistance work. Read more in Phnom Penh Post.
  • Zimbabwe must implement a market-based policy to end poverty and hunger, according to the US ambassador to Zimbabwe. During a round table discussion on food security and agricultural programmes, the ambassador noted that agricultural policy reform and the removal of corruption in the sector is needed to end food shortages. Read more in New Zimbabwe.
  • $2.2billion in loads will be given by the World Bank to support six development projects in Nigeria. The projects will focus on strengthening health systems and improving the private sector business environment. Rural infrastructure will also be upgraded as part of an agricultural project. Read more in PM News Nigeria.