The supplies will support around 27,000 healthcare workers in the country

Gillian Duncan

The UAE sent crucial medical supplies to Somalia, Ethiopia and Cyprus this week to help support the countries’ healthcare workers in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

The aid mission to Somalia was carried out with the World Health Organisation. It delivered seven tonnes of supplies from the UAE and 20 tonnes from the WHO, which are expected to help around 27,000 healthcare workers in the East African nation.

“The UAE is committed to providing its full support to strengthen global efforts to reduce the spread of Covid-19,” said Mohammed Al Hammadi, the UAE’s ambassador to Somalia.

“Since the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak, the UAE has sent emergency medical aid to a number of countries and has supported relevant international organisations, particularly the World Health Organisation, in delivering aid to countries in need.”

Between 2010 until March 2020, the UAE sent aid worth Dh1.2 billion to Somalia.

This has helped more than 1.2 million Somalis in the form of 100 per cent non-repayable grants.

Several indices rank Somalia among the most vulnerable to a global health emergency such as the outbreak of Covid-19.

The country ranked 194 of 195 countries in the Johns Hopkins Global Health Security Index for 2019.

It scored zero in many areas, such as emergency preparedness, emergency response, infection control practices and healthcare access.

The infectious disease vulnerability index by Rand, a non-profit research institution, identified the country as the world’s least prepared in February.

The country’s first virus case was announced on March 16.

There have been 60 confirmed cases so far and two deaths, including the justice minister of Hirshabelle state.

This week, the UAE also sent a plane carrying 33 tonnes of medical supplies to Ethiopia to support 33,000 healthcare workers.

Of this, 15 tonnes were provided by the UAE to Ethiopia, with another three tonnes for the African Union.

The plane also carried 15 tonnes of aid from the WHO for Ethiopia and other African countries.

Ethiopia has recorded 74 cases and three deaths because of the coronavirus.

Eight tonnes of medical supplies were also sent to Cyprus to benefit nearly 10,000 healthcare workers.

“Providing support to countries affected by Covid-19 is a humanitarian obligation upon all countries, as strengthening multilateral co-operation is necessary to overcome this crisis,” said Sultan Al Suwaidi, UAE Ambassador to Cyprus.

He said the aid would help healthcare workers safely perform their professional duties in combating the spread of the virus.

Source: The National (UAE)