The Danish government has donated Sh337.6 million (22 million kroner) to boost Kenya’s emergency Covid-19 fund.
The donation was announced last week during a phone call between Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yattani and Danish Minister for Development Cooperation, Rasmus Prehn.
As a regional center of international organisations and companies, Kenya is at a relatively higher risk when it comes to the spreading of the coronavirus disease.
“The Danish government takes responsibility when it comes to tackling the coronavirus at home. Also abroad, we have chosen to act head-on with rapid contributions to address the potential humanitarian and economic emergency, which I fear is underway on the African continent,” said the Embassy of Denmark in Kenya.
The fund will be used to cover costs of medicine and equipment, capacity building of health personnel, quarantine and treatment centres among other needs.
“If not handled resolutely, it will have fatal consequences for the most vulnerable populations – not least in densely populated areas and where the health care system is challenged. It is also my hope that the long-term Danish support to strengthen the Kenyan health system will contribute to mitigating the consequences of the epidemic,” said the Danish Embassy.
The Danish Embassy said the funds will be channelled to the Kenyan government through the World Bank.
So far, Kenya has 126 confirmed coronavirus cases while the African continent has 9,064 Covid-19 cases. The number of people infected in the world stands at 1,203,428 with 206 countries and territories affected.
On the other hand, Denmark, as of April 3, 2020, had 3,672 cases
By April 3, 2020, the number of confirmed cases in the country had reached a total of 3,672, with the ratio of men to women infected with coronavirus fairly even.
The first case of the coronavirus in Denmark was confirmed on February 27, but the number increased significantly at the beginning of March
