ODA Korea: Building Trust (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea (MOFA) launched the “ODA Korea: Building Trust” initiative with the aim to strengthen global Transparency, Resilience, Unity and Safety Together with partner countries. The TRUST initiative is based on three pillars.

1. Humanitarian assistance
2. Health cooperation with partner countries
3. Assistance in mitigating socio-economic impact

Korea has been providing USD 100 million worth of aid and humanitarian assistance to more than 100 countries in order to combat COVID-19. Furthermore, MOFA introduced the “COVID-19 Comprehensive Rapid Response Program” supporting the expansion of healthcare facilities and capacity building of health professionals in order to strengthen the health systems of partner countries. Korea also supports, together with the private sector, multilateral organizations and civil society, increasing resilience in sanitation, education and food security for vulnerable groups.

ABC Program (Korea International Cooperation Agency)

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) introduced its ABC Program as their COVID-19 response mechanism. The title of the program is “Agenda for Building Resilience against COVID-19 through development cooperation” and consists of three main directions aiming at overcoming COVID-19 with mutual development cooperation.

• A – Action on Fragility (Vaccine, Diagnostics, Treatment)
• B – Building Capacity (Prevention, Detection, Rapid Response, Health System)
• C – Comprehensive Cooperation (Share Lessons Learned, Global Solidarity, Innovative Technology)

These directions cover the period from 2020 until 2024, and are categorized as short-term (2020-2021) and mid-term (2022-2024) support. The short-term response package provides early assistance to countries that seek support from the Republic of Korea such as diagnostic kits, guidance on capacity building, raising awareness, and conducting research including identifying relevant innovative technologies. The mid-term resilience approach includes various resilience building tools and further support in multi-sectoral capacity building, research and development, use of local innovative technology, strengthening institutional and policy capacity for managing infectious diseases, etc. Furthermore, KOICA provides a Knowledge Sharing Service including various policies, strategies and e-learning material.