Building Pandemic Preparedness in the Greater Mekong Subregion

Cambodia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), Myanmar, and Viet Nam, CLMV countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), have experienced a relatively smaller number of reported cases and fatalities of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has been working with these countries for more than a decade to build strong national public health systems with capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats, including the control of communicable diseases.  These investments have contributed to containing the COVID-19 outbreak, according to Mr. Rikard Elfving, a Senior Social Sector Specialist in ADB’s Southeast Asia Department. Read more

ADB Approves $20 Million to Support Lao PDR's Emergency Response to COVID-19

ADB approved a $20 million loan to support the Lao PDR's response to the COVID-19 pandemic on 25 May 2020. The loan, as additional financing to the GMS Health Security Project, will assist the Ministry of Health in procuring personal protective equipment, laboratory equipment, testing kits, medical devices, and ambulances. It will also help the government provide supplies and training to frontline health workers on infection prevention and control, lab testing, and clinical care for COVID-19 patients. It will also cover the government’s costs for contact tracing, risk communications, and other interventions. Read more.


More on GMS COVID-19 response:
GMS Supports Lower Mekong Countries in Rapid Delivery of Essential Medical Equipment
Assessment of the Economic Impact of COVID-19 Outbreak in GMS Countries

Senior officials of the GMS met to discuss responses to COVID-19, focusing on regional approaches to promote recovery and resilience. The meeting was held via videoconferencing on 2 June 2020, with participation from all GMS countries and ADB. Read more.
 

Climate Resilient Rural Infrastructure Project in Northern Viet Nam Successfully Promotes Application of Bioengineering Techniques

Download: Good Practice Brief: Green Infrastructure for a Climate Resilient Society in Viet Nam

Transport contributes approximately one-fifth of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in the GMS, excluding the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Road freight, a significant source of emissions, has increased in most of the six GMS countries, while the use of rail and shipping has decreased. This trend is likely to continue as road infrastructure investments continue to be a priority for the subregion. This policy brief discusses measures to promote green freight in the subregion. Read more.

Supported by a $10 million grant from the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction administered by ADB, the Ministry of Health and Sports of Myanmar implemented the GMS Capacity Building for HIV/AIDS Prevention Project. Read more.

Plus: Cross-border Cooperation can Help Countries Overcome the COVID-19 Pandemic
Keeping the Goods Moving to Beat the COVID-19 Pandemic

Viet Nam's Prime Minister Shares Five Lessons Learned from COVID-19, Highlights Importance of Communication in Pandemic

Initiative Gathers Mekong Innovations Spurred by the COVID-19 Pandemic

Myanmar Universities Invent Robots that Reduce Contact between Health Workers and COVID-19 Patients

How Viet Nam's “Low-Cost Model” Stopped COVID-19 in its Tracks

Mekong Tourism Eyes Balanced Recovery with Engagement at the Core

Cambodia, Viet Nam Working Together to Ensure Trade Continues

Can Tho Prepares to Become a Major Smart City in the Mekong Delta

Cambodia Plans Improvement of Thailand and Viet Nam Border Gate Facilities

Lao PDR and Myanmar to Work on a New Cooperation Master Plan

Expressway to Link Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville