March 27 (SeeNews) - The European Union and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have signed a 2 million euro ($2.2 million) financial package for Bosnia's immediate medical needs in the context of the fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
The financial assistance will be used to buy 80 respirators, testing kits and personal protective equipment, the EU delegation to Bosnia said in a press release on Thursday after the EU ambassador to Bosnia Johann Sattler and tUNDP resident representative Steliana Nedera signed the agreement.
The EU delegation said that this is the first installment of EU assistance to the country, with a second one of 5 million euro to follow soon, also to be used for for immediate medical needs.
The UNDP is currently working on the procurement of essential medical equipment and supplies to help the testing and treatment process of COVID-19 infected persons in Bosnia.
Moreover, the EU will direct more than 70 million euro in order to save jobs and companies working in the transportation and tourism sectors, the press release reads.
On Monday, the EU delegation to Bosnia said that the Union is considering quick assistance of up to 7 million euro worth of medical equipment and medium-term adjustment and enforcement of EU support of up to 50 million euro for the economic development programmes.
The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Bosnia rose to 229 on Friday, from 183 a day earlier, the authorities said.