UAE and Vatican send humanitarian aid to Amazon in fight against Covid-19

The UAE has sent aid to the Peruvian city of Iquitos to help in the battle against Covid-19. WAM

The UAE has sent a plane containing 15 tonnes of medical and food aid to the Amazon.

It is the first of 40 tonnes of aid dedicated to those affected by Covid-19 in the region.

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

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

The shipments have included thousands of gowns, gloves and face masks for health workers battling the spread of the pandemic.

The latest aid has been sent in collaboration with the Vatican Department of Education.

It is the result of the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together signed in Abu Dhabi by the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Dr Ahmed El Tayeb and Pope Francis, Head of the Catholic Church.

The aid will target those in need in the Peruvian city of Iquitos, a city of 400,000 located on one of the Amazon River's streams in Peru's dense Amazon forest.

"The dispatch of this aid plane on Friday to Peru reflects the UAE’s continued efforts to help a large number of countries to curb the spread of this virus," Jassem Saif Al Shamsi, Chargé d'Affaires at the UAE Embassy in Lima, said.

"The UAE leadership believes that international solidarity and the unification of efforts are an urgent necessity in the face of the most dangerous pandemic facing humanity.

"The UAE stands with the people of Peru today by contributing to the provision of supplies and food aid, reflecting strong ties between both countries that have historically enjoyed constructive cooperation and consensus at all levels."