US grants to Morocco USD2 million to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic

The US Embassy in Morocco announced providing USD2 million investment in additional urgent COVID-19 assistance to further support Morocco’s successful response to the pandemic.

This new funding will provide technical assistance, equipment, and supplies to support Morocco’s National Vaccination campaign to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The funds will also support laboratories strengthening efforts through the purchase of test kits.

U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Lawrence Randolph highlighted that “protecting lives and Morocco’s economic stability are shared goals in the strong partnership between both countries. This donation of over 850,000 Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine shots will save lives and is just the latest component of our dedicated work with our Moroccan partners as we fight to end the pandemic. The additional USD2 million in COVID-19 assistance will further support the government of Morocco’s already highly successful response to the pandemic.”

Recently, Morocco moved to the green zone, following the noticeable decrease in COVID-19 cases, with 272 new infections reported on average each day. representing 3% of the peak, according to the latest update of November 2.

The national vaccination campaign is intensifying efforts to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, adopting a vaccine pass mandate starting October 21 to access public spaces and for travel in order to urge people to get vaccinated, and began administrating as well a third booster shot of the anti-COVID-19 starting October 04.

The total amount provided by the US to Morocco, for now, has reached USD19.88 million, in addition to USD15.27 million granted to support the country’s efforts in preventing the COVID-19 pandemic.

The U.S. military has invested over USD3.8 million in field hospitals and laboratory assistance, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) plans to award Morocco approximately USD2.37 million in COVID funding to support emergency response, laboratory, and monitoring of epidemiology efforts.

Two days ago, the country received a shipment of over 850,590 shots of the Pfizer vaccine through the Covax program, a global initiative aimed at ensuring equitable vaccine distribution.

The Pfizer shipment follows a previous shipment that included more than 300,000 shots of the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine last July.

The US is the world’s largest donor through COVAX, providing over 200 million vaccine doses to countries in need and is making available over one billion Pfizer vaccine shots to 92 lower- and middle-income countries as well as the African Union, aiming to save lives around the world, rebuild the global economy, and stop the threat of new variants.