ISLAMABAD: The Japanese government plans to provide a grant of $250,000 through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to Pakistan to curb the spread of coronavirus infections in the country.

Japan’s assistance would be $2.45 million in total including the amount of $0.25 million through the IFRC, according to a press release issued by the Japanese embassy on Tuesday.

With IFRC’s support, the Pakistani government would be strengthened in surveillance, contact tracing and screening, said the statement. It will also be equipped with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), medical consumables and medical equipment to prevent the spread of Covid-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.

Published in Dawn, April 8th, 2020