First batch of medical supplies funded by EU arrives in Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa, August 31, 2020 (FBC) -The first batch of medical supplies, funded by the European Union to help fight COVID-19 pandemic in Ethiopia and the eight member states of IGAD arrived at Addis Ababa Airport today.

This is part of the EU’s €60 million package to support the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) member states to tackle the health and socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ambassador Johan Borgstam, EU Head of Delegation to Ethiopia, received the supplies together with Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, IGAD Executive Secretary, Dr. Lia Tadesse, Minister of Health and Gedu Andargachew, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Ambassador Borgstam said the supplies will be crucial in supporting vulnerable groups including migrants, refugees, and internally displaced people to reduce the impact of the pandemic.

According to him, the European Union and its member states have already contributed €465 million to Ethiopia’s fight against COVID-19.

The medical supplies include 3.5 million surgical masks, 35,000 face shields and 7,000 protective gowns.

The total number of items delivered today amounts to approximately 60% of the total items provided under the project, which further include 70,000 test kits (including 105,000 swabs), 8 mobile labs and 24 ambulances.

The remaining items will be arriving in subsequent weeks, according to a press release issued by the European Union in Ethiopia.

The programme will be implemented by UNOPS, UNICEF, GIZ, IOM and Trade Mark East Africa. It will benefit Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan and Uganda.