The United States government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), provided Colombia with 200 portable ventilators for intensive care units.

The ventilators, produced in the United States, are highly specialized, state-of-the-art, compact medical equipment to treat patients affected by severe symptoms of COVID-19. In addition to this donation, USAID is providing training to expand capacity to use this specialized equipment and funding maintenance packages to ensure ventilators continue to provide benefits to Colombians in the coming years.

The donation delivers on President Trump’s generous offer of these critically needed supplies, as well as Colombia’s urgent response to the pandemic.

Ambassador Goldberg said: “For more than half a century, the United States has been the largest contributor to global health security and humanitarian assistance. In fact, we were the first country to donate 15 ventilators at the beginning of this crisis. This new, larger donation is another example of the spirit of generosity of the American people as we fight this virus at home in the United States and together abroad with our partner countries."

Beyond this donation, the United States has made available more than $30 million dollars in aid to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Through USAID, health centers and hospitals in the Pacific Nariñense (Tumaco, Barbacoas, Francisco Pizarro) and Catatumbo have been equipped, and we have also strengthened the lines of attention for gender based violence during quarantine. We have delivered food and cash assistance in areas with concentration of Venezuelan migrants and indigenous communities, we support conflict survivors in Tumaco to make cloth face masks and we are strengthening entrepreneurs in Antioquia to make 46 thousand face masks.

Through an All-of-USA approach, the United States provides life-saving support in coordination with the Government of Colombia and other stakeholders to identify priority areas for investment. Since an infectious disease threat anywhere can become a threat everywhere, the United States calls on other donors to contribute to the global effort to combat COVID-19.