Coronavirus: UAE launches vaccination programme for 12,000 Syrian refugees in Jordan

The drive is spearheaded by Emirates Red Crescent

Syrian children play in the Zaatari refugee camp, 80 kilometres north of the Jordanian capital, Amman. The UAE's vaccine drive will inoculate 12,000 people in the Emirati-Jordanian camps of Mrajeeb Al Fhood, Zaatari, Al Azraq and Al Hadiqa. AFPShow less

The Emirates Red Crescent has launched the first phase of a vaccination programme for Syrian refugees in Jordan.

It aims to vaccinate 12,000 refugees in the Emirati-Jordanian camp of Mrajeeb Al Fhood, as well as the camps of Zaatari, Al Azraq and Al Hadiqa, state news agency Wam reported on Monday.

The Sinopharm vaccine will be administered.

The health campaign is in line with the directives of Sheikha Fatima, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood and honorary chairwoman of the ERC.

"This programme is implemented under an Emirati-Jordanian partnership represented by the Emirates Red Crescent, the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi and the Jordanian Ministry of Health, and in co-ordination with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees" said Mohammed Al Falahi, the ERC secretary general.

Dr Ghazi Sharkas, assistant secretary general for epidemics and communicable diseases in Jordan's ministry of health, stressed the importance of providing the Covid-19 vaccines for the Syrian refugees and lauded the UAE's role in doing so.

The vaccination drive follows last week's announcement that the UAE launched an initiative to export thousands of vaccines to countries struggling to tackle Covid-19.

The ERC and Tamouh Healthcare will assist in delivering and administering vaccines in countries – regionally and globally – to help them overcome the pandemic.

Meanwhile, the UAE has provided aid to more than 135 countries since the pandemic began last year.

Kenya, Syria and Guinea were among the many countries to benefit.

UAE Covid-19 aid to Syria - in pictures

Two planes carrying medication, medical supplies and equipment reached Damascus last Friday. Courtesy: Wam

Damascus received two shipments of medical aid sent by the UAE to help reduce the spread of Covid-19. Courtesy: Wam

The aid will benefit thousands of healthcare workers in Syria. Courtesy: Wam

Since the start of the pandemic, the UAE has dispatched 1,323 metric tonnes of aid to 110 countries, supporting more than 1.3 million medical professionals. Courtesy: Wam

Last week alone, the country sent seven shipments of aid overseas, including a ship loaded with 2,400 tonnes of aid bound for Beirut. Courtesy: Wam