THE United States has offered Malaysia RM3.3 million (US$800,000) in financial assistance to support Putrajaya’s battle against Covid-19.

The US embassy in Malaysia said in a statement today that the funds will be used to support Malaysia’s efforts to vaccinate hard-to-reach and vulnerable communities.  

“It will also support safe quarantine facilities for these communities, assisting in the protection of Malaysia from Covid-19 and helping to keep Malaysia’s economic recovery moving forward,” said the embassy.

The funding will be channelled through the Malaysian Red Crescent.

“Malaysia is doing a wonderful job at vaccinating its population, and this additional assistance will enhance efforts to assist vulnerable communities and help keep the whole country safe,” said the US ambassador to Malaysia, Brian D. McFeeters.

The new amount comes on top of the more than US$2 million in Covid-19 assistance from the United States to Malaysia since the epidemic began.  

On July 5, the United States donated one million Pfizer vaccines to Malaysia as well as medical supplies, Covid-19 test kits, ambulances and more.  

The US business community in Malaysia, through MYAMCHAMCares, has also provided over RM7 million in donations to Covid-19 relief efforts since 2020.

Meanwhile Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz, who is the national chairperson of the Malaysian Red Crescent Society, said the USAID funds “are critical for our work to help us protect people from this disease, particularly those most vulnerable”.

“We are striving to reach the last mile in our vaccinations in all corners of the country and we must remember that no one is safe until everyone is safe. 

“Covid-19 is indifferent to one’s race, religion, ethnicity or nationality. Thank you to Ambassador McFeeters and USAID for supporting Malaysian Red Crescent efforts,” said Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz, who is also the Tunku Temenggong Kedah. – October 21, 2021.