+

Covid-19 Nepal: EU, Australia announce support

Medical support Nepal received from the European Union to combat the Covid-19 crisis arrives in Kathmandu on Thursday, May 20, 2021. Photo: EU Delegation to Nepal

Kathmandu, May 21

The European Union and the Australian government among other development partners of Nepal have announced their support to Nepal to help the country defeat the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a statement on Thursday, the EU Delegation of Nepal said an aircraft from Spain carrying urgently needed oxygen cylinders and concentrators, ventilators and rapid antigen tests arrived in Nepal yesterday.

The shipment was the first of several to follow from EU member states in the coming days, according to the agency.

As per the statement, the EU has so far extended the following supports to Nepal:

  • Finland: 2.2 million surgical face masks, 350,000 FFP2 masks, 52,500 pairs of vinyl gloves, 30,000 isolation gowns
  • France: 14 ventilators, spare parts for oxygen plants, 20.000 antigen tests, 500.000 KN95 masks
  • Germany: 62 ventilators, 27,500 FFP2 masks, 30,000 surgical masks, 200 body bags, 5 isolation centre tents, , 400 gum boots
  • Spain: 50 oxygen cylinders, 10 oxygen concentrators, 15 ventilators, 124,800 rapid antigen tests, 144,000 FFP2 masks
  • Belgium: 1 million surgical masks, 2,000 nasal oxygen cannulas

Meanwhile, Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne announced support worth $7 million to Nepal.

Payne’s statement issued on Friday says the support will be used in the purchase of essential equipment, through the UN and existing NGO partners.

“Australia is already providing medical equipment to hospitals in the most severely affected areas bordering India, as well as PPE, Covid-19 testing kits and related training for health workers.

React to this post

Conversation

New Old Popular