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<p>The UK has announced up to £241 million of aid funding to support the global efforts
to combat the outbreak of COVID-19.</p><p>This includes £150 million to the International
Monetary Fund to help developing countries focus their available resources to tackle
the virus and a £65 million investment into COVID-19 research, which includes eight
vaccine candidates and rapid diagnostics tests.</p><p>The £150 million to the International
Monetary Fund’s Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust is to help developing countries
deal with the short-term economic difficulties caused by coronavirus, allowing them
to focus their spending on tackling the outbreak. This funding will help lessen the
disease’s future global economic impact and thereby help safeguard the UK economy.
A team of infectious disease experts will also travel to developing countries to support
global efforts to prevent further spread.</p><p>UK aid has a longstanding record of
supporting countries across the globe to prepare for large disease outbreaks. We are
closely working with our partners, including the World Health Organization, to support
vulnerable countries ensuring they are prepared and have adequate supplies and health
systems can cope.</p>
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