The United States is donating $50 million in humanitarian aid to Myanmar to help with the spread of the coronavirus.
“This funding comes at a critical point of rising humanitarian needs and will help mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on the lives of the people of both Thailand and Burma,” Ned Price, the spokesperson for the State Department, said in a statement.
Price noted the military coup that occurred in Myanmar on Feb. 1 has caused thousands to flee due to political violence.
“This assistance from the American people will enable humanitarian partners to help the most vulnerable affected populations in Burma and Thailand, benefiting more than 700,000 of Burma’s people and contributing to the provision of life-saving humanitarian assistance,” he said.
Myanmar has been asking for international help to deal with the coronavirus as a small percentage of the country is vaccinated and hospitals are getting overrun.
The COVID-19 situation has been further impeded as the military has been arresting doctors who have been helping patients but opposed the government.
Price said the coronavirus assistance from this aid will help the vaccine supply and administration of vaccines.
Price also announced $5 million going to Thailand for similar coronavirus needs such as vaccine supply and administering the vaccine.
“Specifically, this includes 5 million dollars in COVID-19 assistance for Thailand, which will provide support to health care workers administering vaccines and strengthen Thailand’s health system’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to COVID-19,” U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said in a statement Tuesday.