The UAE recently dispatched the second batch of medical aid supplies to Damascus to assist the Syrian healthcare sector in the national efforts to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) sent the second aid shipment carrying 25 tonnes of medicines and medical supplies and equipment, in cooperation with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent. Damascus received the second shipment on Friday, a few days after the first aid plane arrived in the capital of Syria on Sunday.

This initiative is a part of the UAE's broader humanitarian response to the global pandemic that has affected millions of lives across the world.

Responding to the delivery, Dr Mohammed Ateeq Al Falahi, Secretary-General of the ERC, affirmed that the aid place carried essential medicines and medical supplies and equipment in adequate quantities to support the thousands of healthcare workers in Syria. He further highlighted that the aid shipment is a part of the ERC’s initiatives started under the directives of the UAE’s leadership. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the ERC, has been following up through all initiatives carried out for the welfare of humanity amid the pandemic.

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, the UAE has launched various crucial initiatives to help and assist friendly countries to tackle the ongoing health crisis and to over its impact. Through these initiatives, the UAE also aims to support the countries in reinforcing and strengthening their health capacities to fight the pandemic. Al Falahi also added that the aid shipment was dispatched by the ERC in close coordination with its Syrian counterpart in accordance with the framework of their joint cooperation.

He underlined that the medical aid shipment contains basic supplies such as face masks and PPEs that will help in maintaining necessary precautionary and preventive measures aimed at confronting the Coronavirus pandemic. It will also assist the medical staff working at the frontline and will support their endaveours in containing the virus spread in Syria.

Thanking everyone who facilitated the dispatch of the medical assistance to Syria, Abdul Hakim Al Nuaimi, UAE's charge d'affaires in Syria, said that aid shipment is in line with the UAE's international response to the global pandemic.

"The aid, which is the second of its kind following the first batch that arrived in Damascus on Sunday, falls with the UAE's international response to the global pandemic," he said.

WAM