
MANILA, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said on Tuesday that it had allocated 20.3 million U.S. dollars in technical assistance to help its developing members access vaccines for COVID-19 and establish systems to enable equitable and efficient vaccine distribution.
The Manila-based bank said the funds will be available for ADB developing members to support vaccine-related health system assessments and the development of country readiness plans to strengthen the capacity to access, introduce, deploy, deliver, and monitor vaccines safely and effectively.
The ADB said the funds will help members assess and strengthen vaccine cold chain and logistics, infection control, supply and skills of health workers, risk communications, and real-time data capturing and monitoring.
It added that technical assistance will also support the identification and promotion of innovative cold chain and vaccine tracking technologies.
Woochong Um, the director-general of ADB's Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department, said Asia and the Pacific "has largely done well to limit the spread of COVID-19."
"Ensuring access to a safe, effective, and equitable vaccine is the next frontier in the fight against this virus," he said.
With these additional grant resources, he said the ADB can immediately support its developing members "to undertake urgent actions, including vaccine system assessments and vaccine deployment strategies, to ensure vaccines are delivered efficiently and fairly."
ADB expects to implement technical assistance with its partners the United Nations Children's Fund and the World Health Organization, in coordination with COVAX, Gavi, the World Bank and bilateral agencies among others.
ADB approved a 20-billion-U.S. dollar expanded assistance package in April to support its developing members' COVID-19 response.
Fire brigade in Shanghai holds group wedding
Tourists enjoy ice sculptures in Datan Town, north China
Sunset scenery of Dayan Pagoda in Xi'an
Tourists have fun at scenic spot in Nanlong Town, NW China
Harbin attracts tourists by making best use of ice in winter
In pics: FIS Alpine Ski Women's World Cup Slalom
Black-necked cranes rest at reservoir in Lhunzhub County, Lhasa
China's FAST telescope will be available to foreign scientists in April
"She power" plays indispensable role in poverty alleviation
Top 10 world news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 China news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 media buzzwords of 2020
Year-ender:10 major tourism stories of 2020
No interference in Venezuelan issues
Biz prepares for trade spat
Broadcasting Continent
Australia wins Chinese CEOs as US loses