Coronavirus: UAE aid reaches a million medical workers worldwide

1,000 tonnes of protective gear and other equipment helped front-line staff around world

The UAE on June 23 sent an aid plane carrying 11 metric tonnes of medical supplies to Thailand to bolster the country’s efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19. Wam

The UAE sent an aid plane carrying 7 tonnes of medical supplies to Jubaland, Somalia to bolster the country’s efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19. Wam

The UAE sent an aid plane carrying 7 tonnes of medical supplies to Jubaland, Somalia to bolster the country’s efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19. Wam

The UAE sent an aid plane carrying 10.5 tonnes of medical supplies to Azerbaijan to bolster the country’s efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19. Wam

The UAE sent an aid plane carrying 10.5 tonnes of medical supplies to Azerbaijan to bolster the country’s efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19. Wam

The UAE sent an aid plane carrying 10.5 tonnes of medical supplies to Iraq to bolster the country’s efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19. Wam

The UAE sent an aid plane carrying 10.5 tonnes of medical supplies to Iraq to bolster the country’s efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19. Wam

The UAE sent an aid plane carrying 7 tonnes of medical supplies to the Dominican Republic. Wam

The UAE sent an aid plane carrying 10.5 metric tons of medical supplies to Iraq to bolster the country’s efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19. Wam

The UAE sent an aid plane carrying 12.4 tonnes of medical supplies to Jordan. Wam

An official checks 12-tonne aid shipment before it is loaded on to an Etihad cargo plane heading for Jordan on June 25. Wam

The UAE sent an aid plane containing eight tonnes of medical supplies to Colombia. Wam

Carlos Alvarado, President of Costa Rica, welcomed the aid plane sent to his country as part of the UAE's efforts to help various countries around the world in containing the spread of Covid-19. Wam

The UAE sent 9 tonnes of medical supplies to Chile to bolster the country’s efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19. Wam

The UAE sent medical aid to Mali to reinforce its efforts to combat the spread of Covid-19. Wam

The UAE sent medical aid to Niger to reinforce its efforts to combat the spread of Covid 19. Wam

The UAE delivered 18 tonnes of food and medical aid to United Kingdom as part of its ongoing campaign to support global efforts to combat Covid-19. Courtesy: Wam

The UAE delivered 18 tonnes of food and medical aid to Mauritania as part of its ongoing campaign to support global efforts to combat Covid-19. Wam

The UAE sent an aid plane containing medical supplies to Kenya to bolster the country’s efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19. Wam

The UAE sent an aid plane containing 7 tonnes of medical supplies to Guinea to bolster the country’s efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19. Wam

The UAE has helped more than a million medical workers across the world by sending essential aid and protective gear, the government said on Monday.

The Emirates sent more than 1,000 tonnes of equipment including face masks, gloves and protective gowns to 70 countries in recent months.

Medical staff in China, Italy, the UK, Iran, Pakistan, Brazil, Russia, Yemen and Afghanistan were among those to benefit.

"Today’s milestone of assisting one million healthcare workers affirms the UAE’s commitment to extending a hand of co-operation to the world, regardless of the religion, race or ideology of recipients," said Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation.

Ms Al Hashimy said the UAE's leadership "doubled down" to help people abroad while managing the crisis locally.

The UAE worked with international organisations to boost the effectiveness and reach of its Covid-19 assistance.

The aid operation is being managed mainly at Dubai’s International Humanitarian City, with about 80 per cent of supplies procured through the World Health Organisation transiting through the area.

On May 4, the UAE and the UN World Food Programme launched an international air bridge operation to provide essential health and humanitarian supplies to countries grappling with the effects of Covid-19.

That day, the UAE also took part in a global pledging conference hosted by European leaders to raise €7.5 billion (Dh30.96bn/$8.43bn) to discover, produce and distribute a future vaccine for the virus.

The country has also contributed to the global scientific community’s understanding of Covid-19's spread by sharing genomic sequencing and mutation data on various global databases.

They included the open-source Covid-19 genome database Nexstrain.

"Whether through the provision of PPE, sharing knowledge of genetic sequencing or ensuring that vaccines reach all those in need, the UAE will continue to be a reliable partner and a voice for good," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation said.