VOA常速英语2020--美国帮助盟国意大利抗击疫情

"During these difficult times," said U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, "the United States is working in solidarity¹ with our partners and allies to provide humanitarian² assistance to countries in need and to take all possible measures to combat the spread of coronavirus." Italy, one of the United States' closest allies, has been at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19. Secretary Pompeo commended Italy's "transparency and sustained heroic efforts to contain the virus and help those affected³ recover." The pandemic has been particularly devastating⁴ for Italy, and Americans extend their deepest sympathies to those who have lost loved ones. In response to the unprecedented⁵ toll⁶ of the coronavirus, President Donald Trump⁷ authorized⁸ a substantial assistance package for Italy. The U.S. Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, and in coordination⁹ with the U.S. Embassies in Rome and the Vatican, will provide support for international and nongovernmental organizations, including faith-based groups, many of which are already providing essential relief to Italian communities. These efforts will help support the recovery of the Italian economy. The United States is also providing technical assistance to help Italy respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, building on existing partnerships¹⁰ between the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Italy's health sector¹¹.

美国国务卿迈克·蓬佩奥表示，“在此困难时期，美国正在与我们的伙伴和盟友团结一致，为需要的国家提供人道主义援助并采取一切可能的措施抑制冠状病毒的传播。”意大利是美国最亲密的盟友之一，该国一直在抗击COVID-19前线。国务卿蓬佩奥称赞了意大利“在遏制病毒以及帮助患者恢复健康时的透明和英勇努力。”此次疫情对意大利造成了尤为严重的破坏，美国人民向那些失去亲人的家属表示最深切的同情。为应对此次冠状病毒的大规模感染，唐纳德·特朗普总统批准向意大利提供大量援助。美国政府通过美国国际开发署（USAID）与美国驻罗马和梵蒂冈大使馆协调，为包括宗教团体在内的国际和非政府组织提供支持，其中许多组织已为意大利社区提供了必要的救济。这些努力将有助于支持意大利的经济复苏。美国还在其卫生与公众服务部和意大利卫生部门之间现有伙伴关系的基础上，为意大利抗击COVID-19疫情提供技术援助。

In addition, USAID and other U.S. government agencies will look to support Italian businesses that are working to produce medical equipment and supplies to combat COVID-19. This includes assisting Italian factories and supply-chains to adapt to the needs of healthcare personnel and patients. The United States, said Secretary Pompeo, "will identify excess military supplies and encourage donations from the U.S. private sector." Italy hosts about 30,000 U.S. military personnel and families. These personnel will assist with a variety of functions, including providing telemedicine services, facilitating the transport and assembly of field hospitals and equipment, treating non-COVID-19 patients, and supporting the transport of supplies, fuel and food. "This critical assistance will not only help the Italian people," said Secretary Pompeo, "but will also bolster¹² global trade and supply chains. We are all in this together, and only through transparency, cooperation, and mutual¹³ support will we be able to defeat COVID-19."

此外，USAID和其他美国政府机构将支持意大利企业生产医疗设备和物资以抗击COVID-19。其包括帮助意大利工厂和供应链适应医疗人员和病人的需求。国务卿蓬佩奥表示，美国“将确定多余的军事供应并鼓励美国私营部门进行捐赠。”意大利有大约3万名美国军人和军人家属。这些人员将协助执行各种职能部门，包括提供远程医疗服务，为野战医院和设备的运输装配提供便利，治疗非COVID-19患者以及支持物资、燃料和食物的运输。国务卿迈克·蓬佩表示，“此类关键援助不仅可以帮助意大利人民，还能支持全球贸易和供应链。我们都站在一起，只有通过公开透明、合作以及相互支持，我们才能击败COVID-19。”

1 solidarity   

n.团结；休戚相关

参考例句：

• They must preserve their solidarity.他们必须维护他们的团结。
• The solidarity among China's various nationalities is as firm as a rock.中国各族人民之间的团结坚如磐石。

2 humanitarian   

n.人道主义者，博爱者，基督凡人论者

参考例句：

• She has many humanitarian interests and contributes a lot to them.她拥有很多慈善事业，并作了很大的贡献。
• The British government has now suspended humanitarian aid to the area.英国政府现已暂停对这一地区的人道主义援助。

3 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

4 devastating   

adj.毁灭性的，令人震惊的，强有力的

参考例句：

• It is the most devastating storm in 20 years.这是20年来破坏性最大的风暴。
• Affairs do have a devastating effect on marriages.婚外情确实会对婚姻造成毁灭性的影响。

5 unprecedented   

adj.无前例的，新奇的

参考例句：

• The air crash caused an unprecedented number of deaths.这次空难的死亡人数是空前的。
• A flood of this sort is really unprecedented.这样大的洪水真是十年九不遇。

6 toll   

n.过路(桥)费；损失，伤亡人数；v.敲(钟)

参考例句：

• The hailstone took a heavy toll of the crops in our village last night.昨晚那场冰雹损坏了我们村的庄稼。
• The war took a heavy toll of human life.这次战争夺去了许多人的生命。

7 trump   

n.王牌，法宝；v.打出王牌，吹喇叭

参考例句：

• He was never able to trump up the courage to have a showdown.他始终鼓不起勇气摊牌。
• The coach saved his star player for a trump card.教练保留他的明星选手，作为他的王牌。

8 authorized   

a.委任的，许可的

参考例句：

• An administrative order is valid if authorized by a statute.如果一个行政命令得到一个法规的认可那么这个命令就是有效的。

9 coordination   

n.协调，协作

参考例句：

• Gymnastics is a sport that requires a considerable level of coordination.体操是一项需要高协调性的运动。
• The perfect coordination of the dancers and singers added a rhythmic charm to the performance.舞蹈演员和歌手们配合得很好，使演出更具魅力。

10 partnerships   

n.伙伴关系( partnership的名词复数 )；合伙人身份；合作关系

参考例句：

• Partnerships suffer another major disadvantage: decision-making is shared. 合伙企业的另一主要缺点是决定要由大家来作。 来自英汉非文学 - 政府文件
• It involved selling off limited partnerships. 它涉及到售出有限的合伙权。 来自辞典例句

11 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

12 bolster   

n.枕垫；v.支持，鼓励

参考例句：

• The high interest rates helped to bolster up the economy.高利率使经济更稳健。
• He tried to bolster up their morale.他尽力鼓舞他们的士气。

13 mutual   

adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的

参考例句：

• We must pull together for mutual interest.我们必须为相互的利益而通力合作。
• Mutual interests tied us together.相互的利害关系把我们联系在一起。