Dhaka, March 19 -- The additional financing to the COVID-19 Emergency Response and Pandemic Preparedness Project will help Bangladesh procure safe and effective vaccines, expand vaccine storage facilities, and distribute vaccines to about 31 percent of its population, the World Bank said in an emailed statement on Friday.

The funds came in support of the government's prioritised plan of covering 40 percent of the population in the first phase of vaccination.

"Bangladesh has taken quick action to combat COVID-19 by rolling out a national vaccination program. To achieve the objectives of the program, fast and equitable access to vaccines will be important," said Mercy Tembon, World Bank's country director for Bangladesh. "This financing w...