The aid, which consisted of seven metric tonnes from the UAE and 20 metric tonnes from WHO, will help around 27,000 healthcare workers in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. The United Arab Emirates, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), has dispatched an aid plane carrying approximately 27 metric tonnes of medical supplies to Somalia.
The UAE is committed to providing its full support to strengthen global efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19,” Mohammed Ahmed Othman Al Hammadi, UAE Ambassador to Somalia, said, quoted by national news agency WAM.
“Since the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak, the UAE has sent emergency medical aid to several countries and has supported relevant international organisations, particularly the World Health Organisation, in delivering aid to countries in need.”
The ambassador explained that the UAE’s advanced air logistics capabilities enable it to transport urgently needed medical equipment and supplies to thousands of healthcare professionals treating COVID-19 patients.
From 2010 until March 2020, the UAE’s total aid to Somalia reached AED1.2 billion for the benefit of more than 1.2 million Somalis, especially women and children, in the form of 100% non-repayable grants. More than half of the aid (58.3 percent) was given for development assistance purposes.
