PRINT

EU and WHO join together to support COVID-19 preparedness and response and health system strengthening in Cambodia

02.06.2021
Brussels

This week, the European Union (EU) and the World Health Organization (WHO) announced they have joined forces to support preparedness for and response to COVID-19 and future health security threats in Cambodia.

The European Union is investing a total of more than €2.8 million (USD $3.5 million) over three years, through WHO, to support the Royal Government of Cambodia’s preparedness and response to COVID-19, and to strengthen health system. This funding is part of a specific EU-WHO regional health programme to support ASEAN member states.

“Partnership between the EU and WHO to support COVID-19 preparedness and response is an indication of solidarity and cooperation for helping the country during the difficult time. The Ministry of Health will continue to work closely with WHO to strengthen Cambodia’s health security system,” said His Excellency Professor Mam Bunheng, Minister of Health, Cambodia.

“For more than a decade, Cambodia has been strengthening its health security system, including pandemic preparedness,” said Dr Li Ailan, WHO Representative to Cambodia. “This investment from the EU and partnership will contribute to our collective efforts to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and make the country better prepared for public health emergencies.”

“The European Union and its member states, as “Team Europe”, are collectively committed to working with Cambodia to tackle the social, economic and environmental consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, to build back better, ensuring that no one is left behind. Team Europe has to-date provided € 2.2 billion, to help 92 low and middle-income countries, including Cambodia, to help gain access to COVID-19 vaccines – the COVAX facility. We are proud that Team Europe is the largest contributor to the facility. The EU is also very pleased that Cambodia was the first country in the Asia-Pacific region receiving 324,000 doses of vaccine on 2nd of March 2021 through the COVAX facility,” said HE Ambassador Carmen Moreno of the European Union to Cambodia. “On behalf of the European Union, I am glad that the EU has signed a contract with WHO to strengthen Cambodia’s capacity to respond to the pandemic and build up a resilient health system. This support comes now when it is most needed. Solidarity and collective action are essential to overcome the COVID19 crisis in Cambodia, in ASEAN and in the rest of the world. Together we are stronger!,” added HE Ambassador Carmen Moreno.

In line with the International Health Regulations (2005), the Global Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan and as guided by the Asia Pacific strategy for emerging diseases and public health emergencies (APSED III), this new investment aims to strengthen health systems and to support COVID-19 preparedness and response in Cambodia, including through reaching the unreached approach. The funds will be used to:

  • Mobilize various sectors and communities to ensure participation in prevention, preparedness and response;
  • Respond to sporadic cases, clusters and community transmission;
  • Suppress virus transmission; and
  • Reduce deaths from COVID-19.

As part of WHO’s ongoing work to support the Royal Government of Cambodia, it has been coordinating the international response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and has been intensifying its engagement and collaboration with technical and operational partners, as well as other stakeholders. The EU is a welcome addition to the partners responding to COVID-19 in Cambodia.

Note to Editors: EU - WHO- partnership to strengthen health systems in eight-countries in the region and coordination of ASEAN

The EU - WHO- partnership in Cambodia is part of a broader South East Asia pandemic preparedness and response programme between the EU and WHO. The EU is providing €20 million for eight priority countries in South-East Asia. WHO will use the funds to continue supporting the governments of Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

The programme represents a joint effort between the EU and WHO’s Regional Offices for South-East Asia (which includes Indonesia, Myanmar and Thailand) and the Western Pacific (which includes Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam). To ensure that the interventions in each country will be in line with national priorities as outlined in the national response plans, each WHO Region is working closely with the governments of those countries and other stakeholders, including civil society organizations.

In addition, the WHO will use the opportunity provided by the EU funding to engage with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which includes all eight countries in the programme, to enhance coordination among ASEAN Member States and promote a regional approach in response to COVID-19, where common challenges are faced.

The contribution of the EU is critical to WHO’s efforts to support countries including Cambodia in responding to the ongoing pandemic in South East Asia, and demonstrates the EU’s solidarity as well as its continued commitment to global health.

For more information, please contact:

  • Mrs. Pok POUN, Press and Information Officer, European Union Delegation to the Kingdom of Cambodia, E-mail: pok.poun@eeas.europa.eu, Phone: (+855) 12 347 716
  • Dr Jun Nakagawa, Programme Management Officer, World Health Organization, Cambodia.   E-mail: nakagawaj@who.int, Phone: (+855) 23 216 610

For Khmer version, click

.