The Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) and Tamouh Healthcare Company have launched a joint initiative to donate COVID-19 vaccines to countries struggling to overcome the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative has been started in line with the UAE's humanitarian efforts to address the pandemic crisis in the world.

The two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the healthcare sector at the headquarters of ERC in Abu Dhabi with the aim of strengthening the cooperation and coordination to effectively perform the initiative on a massive scale regionally and globally.

The articles of MoU have specified the framework of the partnership between the ERC and Tamouh Healthcare, along with coordination mechanisms and responsibilities of both parties in the process to fulfill the higher objectives of the initiative. It further aims to enhance the health and humanitarian efforts towards the safety of the community.

The MoU was signed by Dr. Mohammed Ateeq Al Falahi, Secretary-General of the ERC, and Abdullah Al Rashidi, Tamouh Healthcare CEO, in the presence of deputies of the ERC Secretary-General and other officials.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Al Falahi asserted that the MoU reflects the vision of Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the ERC, to enhance humanitarian partnerships across key local sectors regionally and globally, particularly in the health sector. Significantly, the health sector is a major priority in the organisation's activities both at the local and international level amid the efforts to combat the pandemic.

He underlined that Sheikh Hamdan regularly monitors the progress of the initiatives carried out by the philanthropic organisation. He added that a number of initiatives have made a significant qualitative leap in ERC's efforts at the international level by resolving unprecedented humanitarian challenges facing humanity and helping millions of people in the process.

Dr. Al Falahi stressed the MoU underscores the goal of the two sides to join efforts to limit the effects of the pandemic across countries in need by providing crucial COVID-19 vaccines.

He further lauded the continuous cooperation between the ERC and Tamouh to limit the impact of the pandemic.

"This joint initiative would contribute to fulfilling the aspirations of many people to obtain the vaccine and protect them from the pandemic," he added.

For his part, Al Rashidi noted that the move is in line with the initiatives of Tamouh Healthcare to enhance COVID-19 healthcare services in the UAE and other countries globally in line with the leadership's efforts to amplify social and humanitarian responsibilities.

He also hailed the development and humanitarian role played by the ERC across various regions battling multiple challenges due to COVID-19 and other crises.

According to the MoU, Tamouh Healthcare will be providing COVID-19 vaccines that will be donated to countries and target groups in need to support their efforts to curtail the spread of the virus. It will also facilitate the vaccination of the target groups in Abu Dhabi.

The MoU also specifies donating two doses of the vaccine to every person getting vaccinating in Abu Dhabi in line with the ERC's efforts. The task will be carried out in coordination with the concerned authorities in the country. While the ERC will be choosing the countries that will benefit from these vaccines, Tamouh Healthcare will be making the delivery of the vaccines. It will include all the costs and expenses related to shipping and other logistical operations.

WAM