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 Covid-19 pandemic. The aid mission to Somalia was carried out with the World Health Organisation. Seven tonnes of supplies from the UAE and 20 tonnes from the WHO were delivered – they are expected to help about 27,000 healthcare workers in the East African nation. Hassan Sheikh, the President of Somalia, hailed the delivery of supplies as "timely brotherly support for all Somalis". Mohammed Al Hammadi, the UAE’s ambassador to Somalia, said the UAE is committed to providing its full support to strengthen global efforts to reduce the spread of Covid-19. “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.” From 2010 to March 2020, the UAE sent aid worth Dh1.2 billion to Somalia. It has helped more than 1.2 million Somalis in the form of grants. Several indices rank Somalia among the nations 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, including emergency preparedness, emergency response, healthcare access and infection control practices. In February, the infectious disease vulnerability index by Rand, a non-profit research institution, identified the country as the world’s least prepared. The virus was first reported in Somalia on March 16. Sixty cases have been confirmed so far, with two deaths – including that of 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 Emirates 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 about 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, the UAE Ambassador to Cyprus. He said the aid would help healthcare workers perform their professional duties safely as they fight the spread of the virus.
