The African Development Bank has approved grants worth USD25.1 million to Somalia to enhance the health system, safeguard livelihoods, and support labour force productivity amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is the first time the Bank is leveraging the Regional Operation Envelope resources for a Budget Support Operation. This approach was pertinent to ensure that Somalia has adequate resources to contain the spread of the disease in its territory and limit cross-border impacts that pose serious risks for health, social and economic development for the Horn of Africa sub-region,” said Acting Bank Director General for East Africa, Nnenna Nwabufo.