Asian bloc weighs joint fund to fight Covid-19

Moon Jae-in: “South Korea will secure additional funding for humanitarian assistance and respond to the fullest extent possible to any calls for help from other countries, including Asean.”

BANGKOK: South-East Asian nations pledged to keep regional supply chains open and along with Japan, China and South Korea will pursue the establishment of a fund dedicated to fighting the coronavirus across the region.

The 13-nation summit of the Asean on Tuesday came as the region struggles to contain the Covid-19 outbreak even after it spread to other parts of the globe. During a morning summit between Asean leaders, Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha proposed re-purposing funds to support efforts to deal with the ongoing threat, Thailand government spokeswoman Narumon Pinyosinwat said.