We must work together to overcome the COVID-19 outbreak and the spread of disinformation. Please only trust and share information from credible sources, and, when possible, refer directly to the relevant authorities. It is a fact that the U.S., as with our allies in Europe, is contributing across the world to help stop the spread of COVID-19. At President Trump’s direction, the United States is deploying the full range of our resources to contain and prevent the spread of COVID-19 not just at home, but also across the globe. The United States has committed nearly $274 million to assist affected and at-risk countries to contain and combat COVID-19. The U.S. Agency for International Development has already committed $37 million in assistance and protective equipment for more than 25 countries around the world. Additionally, the United States has offered to provide humanitarian assistance and medical supplies to the Iranian people. The Department of State has facilitated the delivery of medical supplies internationally to stem the spread of the disease, including transport of 17.7 tons of donated relief supplies to Hubei province in China. This commitment — along with the hundreds of millions generously donated by the American private sector — signals strong U.S. leadership in response to the outbreak.
Furthermore, the United States is working with international partners and governments to combat the spread of the outbreak. The Department of State has stayed in close communication and tight coordination with affected countries as the United States implements necessary travel restrictions and issues advisory updates to accompany growing public health measures. Our government has briefed more than 100 officials from more than 70 nations. We are also working with international public and private sector partners, including the World Health Organization, to rapidly enhance our knowledge of the virus, inform our public health decisions, and accelerate the research and development of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics.
The White House has appointed world-renowned global health official and physician Ambassador Deborah Birx to the Office of the Vice President to assist in the U.S. whole-of-government response to COVID-19 as the Coronavirus Response Coordinator. Dr. Birx is especially well-equipped for this role, given her years of experience leading the global fight against HIV/AIDS as head of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
Rest assured, our Embassy team – along with our colleagues in Washington and at other Embassies and Consulates around the world – is working tirelessly to address this outbreak. Defeating COVID-19 will take all our combined efforts, and the United States is doing everything we can to tackle this global pandemic, including following the relevant advice from Danish government officials in our interactions within Denmark.
Stay safe, make good decisions, and be kind to each other in this difficult time.
*The figure on total U.S. assistance was updated on March 27 to reflect latest information from the Department of State.