Coronavirus: Iraqi officials praise UAE for sending medical aid

The Emirates on Friday sent an aid plane carrying six tonnes of medical supplies to Iraqi Kurdistan

Medical aid is loaded onto a flight bound for Iran. The UAE has donated more than 400 tonnes of aid to at least 43 countries since the outbreak of Covid-19. Wam

Baghdad officials praised the UAE's for sending medical aid to Iraq to help the country fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Emirates flew six tonnes of medical supplies to Iraqi Kurdistan, state news agency Wam reported on Friday. The aid will help about 6,000 medical professionals to contain the outbreak.

Dr Osama Al Rifai, head of the Arab Department at the Iraqi Foreign Ministry, welcomed the aid plane at Baghdad International Airport. He said the gesture showed the depth of the historical relations binding the two countries.

"The people and government of Iraq will remain grateful to the UAE for their commitment to deliver medical aid to Iraq under the tough circumstances the entire world is going through," Mr Al Rifai was quoted saying by Wam.

A number of officials from the Iraqi Ministry of Health and other departments welcomed the UAE plane, which carried medical supplies and screening devices.

The UAE has also been providing Covid-19 medical supplies to other countries in the region. On Saturday, the Emirates sent an aid plane carrying 16 tonnes of urgent medical supplies to Iran.

The aid will help about 16,000 medical professionals fight the outbreak.

This is not the first time the UAE delivered medical aid to Iran during the coronavirus pandemic – the Emirates has sent four aid planes to Iran since March.

Iran is the worst affected country in the Middle East, recording more than 220,000 Covid-19 cases and 10,300 deaths.

"The UAE's efforts to operate numerous emergency medical flights to assist Iran's medical sector reflect the authenticity of the UAE's humanitarian approach and the spirit of tolerance and solidarity embedded in UAE policies," said UAE Ambassador to Iran Saif Al Zaabi.

"The UAE has long stood with the leadership and peoples of other countries in difficult times, supporting them and helping save their lives without regard to any other considerations.

"The UAE hopes that these supplies will enhance the capacity of medical staff in Iran and provide them with greater protection."

The UAE is close to having sent 1,000 tonnes of medical aid abroad as part of its efforts to assist countries fighting the coronavirus outbreak.

So far, the Emirates has sent 974 tonnes of supplies to 68 countries in South America, Asia, Africa and Europe.