Since the beginning of the pandemic, SAARC has sought greater cooperation that has produced tangible benefits. Leaders of member states met at least twice by teleconference, and also created an emergency fund of more than $18 million. India has pledged $10 million for the fund; Sri Lanka donated $5 million; Bangladesh donated $1. 5 million; Nepal and Afghanistan each contributed $1 million. SAARC has also created an online page to track progress and official case numbers in the region; The organization also discussed the creation of a built-in surveillance portal and the coordination of studies. Surprisingly, all of this was positioned in a relatively dormant bloc: SAARC’s March 15 teleconference was its first high-level assembly since 2014. The leaders of seven countries participated, while Pakistan was represented through its Prime Minister, and the assembly was broadcast live on YouTube and on televisions in the region.
On March 26, senior fitness professionals from all SAARC countries met via video convention and agreed that India would share online education techniques for emergency response teams and establish a surveillance platform to help neighboring countries control the outbreak. In addition, in response to the pandemic, many South Asian countries have begun removing price lists for medical devices, protective appliances, disinfectants, and soap, which the region has long needed. India has also sent 40,000 masks and other medical devices to Italy, one of the worst-hit countries. as well as 30,000 masks and other protective equipment for Bangladesh. Indeed, as the World Bank recently wrote, “Short-term collaboration to combat the pandemic can bring longer-term benefits by strengthening regional institutions, regional infrastructure, and connectivity” in South Asia.
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