In Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), disjointed health and political systems have struggled to adequately respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. BiH has recorded the third-highest COVID-19 mortality globally, and the increased burden on the health system highlighted numerous deficiencies. COVID-19 also dramatically slowed projected economic growth, disrupting the income and earnings of many in BiH and upending education for children.

USAID has provided a total of $11.96 million to mitigate the impact of the pandemic in BiH and to strengthen the health system to respond to future emergencies through its partnerships with UNICEF and WHO and redirected programming.

FACILITATE ACCESS TO SAFE AND EFFECTIVE VACCINATIONS

• Through UNICEF, USAID is accelerating uptake of COVID-19 vaccines and routine immunizations by partnering with the Red Cross Society of BiH to establish mobile vaccination sites; rehabilitating the cold chain system and implementing effective vaccine management; building public confidence in the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines through engagement with physicians, faith-based community leaders, and focal points in Roma communities; and supporting coordination of vaccine procurement and distribution by the Ministry of Civil Affairs. Mechanism: UNICEF Polio and Immunization Agreement (American Rescue Plan Act/ARPA). Total amount: $2.2 million. Duration: September 2021-March 2023.
• Through WHO, USAID is strengthening vaccine surveillance to facilitate better reporting of vaccine coverage across geographical areas and to improve the collection of safety data; coordinating with health authorities in the Federation of BiH and the Republika Srpska to develop targeted risk communication strategies based on the results of population surveys to counter mis- and disinformation related to the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines; and providing transportation services for vulnerable populations in rural areas to access vaccination sites, in partnership with the Red Cross Society of BiH. Mechanism: WHO Consolidated Grant (ARPA). Total amount: $975,000. Duration: September 2021-March 2023.
• With USAID financing, UNICEF conducted a rapid assessment of the cold chain system to identify urgent needs ahead of the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines. Mechanism: USAID Bureau of Global Health (GH). Total amount: $1.5 million. Duration: April 2020-May 2021.

REDUCE MORBIDITY, MITIGATE TRANSMISSION, AND STRENGTHEN HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS

• Through WHO, USAID is strengthening COVID-19 surveillance systems by assessing laboratory performance and safety, facilitating data entry into international networks, and expanding capacity to detect variants of concern. As noted above:  Mechanism: WHO Consolidated Grant (ARPA). Total amount: $975,000. Duration: September 2021-March 2023.
• With USAID assistance, UNICEF disseminated materials and information on risk prevention through social media; produced television programs for preschool children to cover various issues associated with the pandemic and to teach hygiene and other risk mitigation measures; produced multi-media that reached over three million viewers to deliver key messages on COVID-19 preventive measures and public health; trained Roma health mediators and disseminated infection prevention and control supplies and information on safety measures to 520 Roma families; and supported safe school re-opening across BiH by providing hygiene packages. As noted above:  Mechanism: USAID/GH. Total amount: $1.5 million. Duration: April 2020-May 2021.
• Through WHO, USAID expanded surveillance and laboratory capacity; provided infection prevention and control material; conducted critical care and case management training for health care workers; strengthened country-level coordination, management, and planning for emergency response; and executed population surveys to determine factors associated with public support for risk mitigation measures. Mechanism: USAID/GH. Total amount: $700,000. Duration: April 2020—May 2020.

ADDRESS ACUTE NEEDS DRIVEN BY COVID-19

• With USAID funds, UNICEF supported catch-up immunization campaigns to address the deterioration of routine immunization coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic from the required 95% to 38%, as indicated by the number of children who received a first dose of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine; strengthened mental health and psychosocial support services by training 17 certified professionals on virtual crisis intervention for children, adolescents, and families, and procuring 72 mobile phones and tablets for mental health centers in the Federation of BiH and the Republika Srpska; and conducted a rapid assessment of the impact of COVID-19 on social protection. As noted above:  Mechanism: USAID/GH. Total amount: $1.5 million. Duration: April 2020-May 2021.
• Redirected USAID funding in 2020 supported the provision of a temporary reception center, personal protective equipment for essential workers, media coverage to inform the public of available support services, and humanitarian assistance. Mechanism: USAID/BiH and USAID/Office of Transition Initiatives/OTI redirected funds. Total amount: $1,563,497. Duration: Immediate use in 2020.

BOLSTER ECONOMIES AND OTHER CRITICAL SYSTEMS

• To support BiH children and the economy during and after the pandemic, USAID partnered with UNICEF in a two-year, $4.8 million project to strengthen BiH's response to and recovery from COVID-19. Through this project, 'Strengthening Social and Health Protection in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic', USAID addresses the devastating socio-economic impact the pandemic has had on BiH citizens. Mechanism: USAID/BiH. Total amount: $4.8 million. Duration: April 2021-April 2023.

USAID FUNDING FOR COVID-19 RESPONSE IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA