Coronavirus fear: India donates protection items to Bangladesh

India today donated 30,000 surgical masks and 15,000 head-covers to Bangladesh to help prevent spread of Coronavirus.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das handed over the materials to Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen at the ministry.

Led by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Saarc (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) leaders held a video conference on March 15 and created the Saarc Emergency Fund to tackle the virus under a common regional strategy.

Already, India has committed its contribution of $10 million, Sri Lanka $5 million, Bangladesh $1.5 million, Afghanistan and Nepal $1 million each, Maldives $200,000 and Bhutan $100,000.

Preparations are also underway to hold video conferences between medical professionals and other stake holders in India and Bangladesh for considering specific measures and exchanging best practices to address Covid-19.

"As a friend and neighbor, India is ready to stand with Bangladesh in times of challenge. Working together, India, Bangladesh and other SAARC countries can overcome the extraordinary situation created by the spread of Covid19," said a statement of Indian High Commission in Dhaka.