The United States Government announced $4.5 million, equivalent to 2.7 billion CFA, on May 20, 2020 to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Benin. 

The United States, via the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is providing life-saving support by coordinating with the Government of Benin, international humanitarian partners, and other stakeholders to identify priority areas for investment.

“This 2.7 billion CFA in additional assistance is the latest example of American leadership, and the U.S. Government’s long-standing cooperation with the Government of Benin to achieve health security and greater prosperity for both our countries,” said United States Ambassador Patricia Mahoney.

Through this assistance, USAID will support activities including:

• Communications to help educate people in rural areas on steps they can take to prevent the spread of the virus.
• Surveillance and rapid response capabilities to enhance case-finding for COVID-19.
• Support coordination and planning of outbreak response activities.

Annually, the United States also contributes $25 million, equivalent to 15 billion CFA, in health sector assistance to Benin, to support the fight against malaria, improve maternal and child health, and respond to the need for family planning. Through the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative, the United States has invested more than $206 million, equivalent to 142 billion CFA, in the prevention and treatment of malaria in Benin since 2006.

For decades, the United States has been the world's largest provider of bilateral assistance in health. Since 2009, American taxpayers have generously funded more than $100 billion in health assistance and nearly $70 billion in humanitarian assistance globally.

For more information about USAID’s response to COVID-19, please visit: https://www.usaid.gov/coronavirus-covid-19

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