- UAE provides 15 metric tons of medical supplies to Ethiopia
- Premier Abiy expresses gratitude to UAE’s solidarity with Ethiopia, Africa
- Foundation donates 200 mln. Birr
ADDIS ABABA – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has provided 15 metric tons of medical supplies to Ethiopia in a view to supporting efforts the latter has made to combat the spread of coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).
Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed said that the support is an important practical and symbolic gesture of the spirit of solidarity, friendship and partnership between Ethiopia and the UAE.
According to Emirates News Agency, a UAE aid plane carrying 33 metric tons of medical supplies arrived in Addis Ababa on Monday.
Out of the 33 metric tons of medical supplies, 15 metric tons is the aid UAE provided to Ethiopia and the three metric tons is delivered to the African Union. The remaining 15 metric tons is offered by the World Health Organization (WHO) to Ethiopia and other African countries.
It was indicated that the initiative is part of the UAE’s commitment to cooperating with countries to bolster global efforts to curb the virus’ spread.
UAE’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Mohamed Salem Al Rashedi said that the support help Ethiopian health personnel to safely perform their professional duties in combating the spread of COVID-19.
“The UAE is committed to a humanitarian approach that upholds emergency relief in areas of need as a key tenet.
Through our partnership with the WHO, we are proud to honour this mandate in facilitating the delivery of critical aid to Ethiopia as it exerts all efforts to contain COVID-19,” Ambassador Mohamed added.
The Ambassador underscored that the leadership and people of the UAE stand with Ethiopia in efforts to overcome this humanitarian crisis.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on his part expressed his appreciation to the UAE Government for the support of 15 metric tons of COVID-19 prevention medical supplies, including personal protective equipment (PPE) and masks.
“I highly appreciate my brother Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for showing solidarity with Ethiopia and the continent at large,” the Premier remarked.
By the same token, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom praised the UAE’s humanitarian and relief efforts in the fight against the pandemic and extended his appreciation to the country for its engagement to support counter-COVID-19 efforts around the world.
Meanwhile, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has donated 200 million Birr to Addis Ababa City Administration to support the efforts made to battle COVID-19.
As Engineer Takele Uma, Deputy Mayor of Addis Ababa City Administration tweeted; the donation would assist to contain the spread of the virus. It also helps to reduce the impact of the pandemic on the public.
He extended his heartfelt gratitude to the Gates Foundation for just making a 200 million Birr commitment to the city. “You are a genuine partner and this will go a long way in building up our defenses against the spread of COVID-19 and the larger impact of this pandemic on our communities,” he remarked.
The Ethiopian Herald April15/2020
BY BILAL DERSO
