Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 15)— Southeast Asian leaders and their East Asian partners have backed the setting up of a COVID-19 response fund and a regional reserve of essential medical supplies to bolster their battle against the coronavirus pandemic.
In a joint statement issued after their virtual summit on Tuesday, leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations together with counterparts from China, Japan and South Korea vowed to enhance cooperation in containing the spread of the pandemic and addressing its adverse impact.
“(We resolve to) endeavour to ensure adequate financing to contain the pandemic and protect our peoples, including through the proposed establishment of the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund for public health emergencies,” the ASEAN Plus Three leaders said.
The proposed fund will be sourced from existing cooperation funds, the group said, together with possible “additional support” from ASEAN’s external partners.
The leaders likewise said they will consider setting up a regional reserve of essential medical supplies for citizens to respond faster in times of health emergencies.
“(We) encourage tapping on existing regional emergency reserve facilities including the warehouses managed by the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management, among others, further consider the utilisation of the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve,” the group added.
The ASEAN Plus Three leaders also encouraged the rollout of effective public communication, including the release of timely and accurate health and safety information.
They also urged a crackdown on “fake news” and misinformation, and also pushed for intensified efforts to reduce discrimination across the countries.
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The running COVID-19 tally of John Hopkins University shows that the Philippines now has the highest number of confirmed infections in the region, with 5,453 cases as of publishing.
Globally, the viral disease has infected nearly two million individuals in 185 different countries including China, the ground zero of the outbreak.
