March 17, 2020, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan— Today, the United States through its Agency for International Development (USAID) handed over personal protective equipment (PPE) to the City Center for Ambulance Services in Nur-Sultan.  This equipment is part of the United States government’s early assistance to Kazakhstan to prepare for the potential spread of the novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19.  In addition to the PPE, USAID has also allocated additional funding to support Kazakhstan’s response to COVID-19.

The PPE provided by USAID includes 10,000 examination gloves, 10,000 masks, 1,400 isolation gowns, and 200 protective goggles. This equipment will subsequently be distributed to healthcare workers in regional centers and cities across Kazakhstan. It will protect and enable health workers in Kazakhstan to respond quickly and safely to treat COVID-19 patients. The donated PPE is vital to reduce the infection risk facing frontline health workers.

 “Today, an infectious-disease threat anywhere in the world can easily cross borders and create health hazards across the globe, that is why cooperation on the international level and mutual support are crucial in such critical times,” said Ambassador Moser. “We are proud to support the Government of Kazakhstan’s efforts by providing personal protective equipment and Emergency Reserve Fund financing to stop the spread of COVID-19 to ensure people are safe and healthy.”

Regarding the assistance, Kazakhstan Minister of Health Birtanov Yelzhan Amantayevich stated, “The Kazakhstan Ministry of Healthcare is very supportive of the mutual U.S.-Kazakhstan collaboration to enhance capacity amid efforts to contain COVID-19.”

In addition to this emergency assistance, the United States works in close partnership with Kazakhstan on a range of programs to improve the health and well-being of citizens, including long-term efforts to address HIV and tuberculosis and technical assistance in the health sector.

The United States has been the world’s largest provider of assistance in public health. Over the last decade the United States has provided over $90 billion of assistance in public health to save lives, protect people who are most vulnerable to disease, and promote the stability of communities and nations around the world.

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USAID is the world’s premier international development agency and a catalytic actor driving development results. USAID’s work advances U.S. national security and economic prosperity, demonstrates American generosity, and promotes a path to recipient self-reliance and resilience. To learn more, visit: https://www.usaid.gov/central-asia-regional and USAID/Central Asia’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/USAIDCentralAsia. To connect with the U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan, please visit us on social media: usembassy.nursultan (Facebook); usinkz (Instagram); @USembassyKAZ (Twiter).