[As Prepared]

[Greetings]

I’d like to thank Minister Sarangerel for having me join today’s press conference. I’d also like to recognize World Health Organization representative Dr. Sergey Diorditsa and UNICEF representative Alex Heikens. It’s an honor to be here with you all today.

The U.S. Government, through the United States Agency for International Development, is providing more than MNT3.3 billion ($1.2 million) to the World Health Organization and UNICEF to support the Government of Mongolia’s COVID-19 response.

U.S. assistance will support the Ministry of Health to enhance risk communication and community preparedness, provide critical supplies, improved water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, and assist with data collection and analysis. USAID programs will also help the Ministry of Health protect health workers and patients, expand laboratory testing capabilities, conduct outbreak surveillance, and provide quality patient care.

The COVID-19 pandemic is of great concern to everyone. The United States is deploying a range of resources to contain and prevent the spread of COVID-19 not just at home, but across the globe. The Department of State is taking decisive action to inform and safeguard U.S. citizens overseas, protect the homeland, and advance the commitment of the United States to build global health security capacity for this and future outbreaks.

Mongolia came to terms with this reality early on and I’ve been impressed thus far with the government’s response. I would like to thank and commend all health professionals for their hard work and unwavering dedication to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the country, the United States, and around the world. We must all come together and fight this pandemic as one.

The United States is proud to have Mongolia as a Strategic Partner and this assistance today is a clear demonstration of our unwavering cooperation. As a friend and third neighbor achieving peace, democracy, and prosperity for Mongolia and for the broader Indo-Pacific region, the United States will continue to stand by our Mongolian friends and neighbors in these challenging times.

Thank you.