SAARC COVID-19 Emergency Fund


On March 15, 2020, during a video conference of the SAARC Heads of State and Government, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed a Coronavirus Emergency Fund. This emergency fund was set up in response to the global coronavirus pandemic. The initiative seeks to mitigate the risks associated with the coronavirus pandemic in the South Asian region. The other members of the SAARC expressed their support of Narendra Modi and his proposal for the coronavirus emergency fund.

Donations

announced that the country was donating $10 million as its initial contribution to support the initiative. Narendra Modi stated that the contributions for the fund from member countries would be voluntary. As of 10 April 2020, the emergency fund had accumulated a sum of US$21.8 million with the pool of contributions from seven member countries.
On March 21, 2020, Maldives announced it would contribute $200,000, and Bhutan announced it would contribute $100,000. On March 22, Bangladesh announced it would contribute $1.5 million, and Nepal and Afghanistan announced that they would voluntarily contribute $1 million. On March 23, Sri Lanka announced it would contribute $5 million. On April 9, Pakistan announced that they contributed $3 million.
CountryAmount
India10
Sri Lanka5
Pakistan3
Bangladesh1.5
Nepal1
Afghanistan1
Maldives0.2
Bhutan0.1
Total21.8