"Previously, there was a fund for COVID-19, namely the ASEAN Fund for COVID-19, with a total amount of around US$17.7 million, some of which has already been used for COVID-19," he stated at the ASEAN Finance-Health Ministers Meeting (AFHMM) press conference in Jakarta.
During the meeting, Indonesia proposed that the use of the existing funds be expanded, not only for COVID-19 but also for addressing future pandemics.
"The gap in the existing funds has been calculated. However, there was a recommendation that the gap should be calculated thoroughly because each country has a budget for responding to future pandemics," he affirmed.
Sadikin elaborated that ASEAN member countries currently have funds allocated for COVID-19.
The Pandemic Fund Initiative is the response of ASEAN countries to integrate pandemic prevention and response in their respective countries and globally.
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Translator: Asri Mayang Sari
Editor: Anton Santoso
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