June 9, 2020, SKOPJE - The United States, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has committed an additional $450,000 to support North Macedonia’s efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing its total contribution to $1.5 million. 

The additional funding will be provided to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to support

• coordination, planning, monitoring, operations, and logistics;
• risk communication and community engagement; and
• case management and infection prevention and control in health facilities.

U.S. Ambassador Kate Byrnes noted “the U.S. government is proud to be a conduit for the generosity of the American people to fight this pandemic together with our allies.  Through our partnership with UNICEF, we are pleased to augment the emergency health, humanitarian, and economic response by the government, private sector, and non-governmental organizations, as well as the international community.”

Months into fighting the COVID-19 pandemic at home and abroad, the United States is continuing to lead the global charge, building on decades of leadership in life-saving health and humanitarian assistance. Through the generosity of the American people, our foreign assistance is saving lives and minimizing economic devastation around the world.

The United States has invested more than $738 million in North Macedonia over the past 20 years, including more than $11.5 million in health assistance.

USAID’s support to North Macedonia to respond to the pandemic is emblematic of the U.S. Government’s support for countries around the world.  For decades, the United States has been the world's largest provider of bilateral assistance in health.  Since 2009, American taxpayers have generously funded more than $100 billion in health assistance and nearly $70 billion in humanitarian assistance.

Because 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.   

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. For more information about USAID’s response to COVID-19, please visit: https://www.usaid.gov/coronavirus-covid-19.

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