The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a $200 million (over Rs33 billion) package for Pakistan, to help the country in taking effective and timely action to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. As per the World Bank (WB), this support will also draw an extra $38 million from eight existing projects that will support federal and provincial governments in purchasing necessary equipment and supplies. While focusing on the COVID-19 preparedness and emergency response in the health sector, the Pandemic Response Effectiveness Project (PREP) will also help the poor and vulnerable cope with the immediate impact of the pandemic through social protection measures, food rations, and remote learning education, the World Bank said in a statement. “The World Bank is ramping up its support to Pakistan and its people to fight the spread of COVID-19 in the country,” said Illango Patchamuthu, World Bank Country Director for Pakistan. “PREP will help strengthen the country’s capacity to detect and monitor the disease. In addition, it will also make available resources to support cash transfer through existing arrangements to the poor and vulnerable. We will continue to partner with Federal and Provincial Governments to ensure effective implementation during these testing times.” Under the PREP program quarantine facilities will be established in collaboration with public and private hospitals. Furthermore, equipment i.e. ventilators and Personal Protection Equipment for doctors and paramedics will be provided to the hospitals. The Project is financed from the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s concessional credit window for developing countries, in the amount of $200 million, of which $100 million is provided through the World Bank Group’s COVID-19 Fast-Track Facility.