Coronavirus: UAE sends over six tonnes of aid to medics in the UK


  • English
  • Arabic

The UAE sent a plane carrying over six tonnes of medical supplies to the UK to bolster efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19.

The shipment arrived at Heathrow Airport on a special chartered flight on Friday morning with 6.6 tonnes of melt blown fabric to make surgical face masks.

There is currently a global shortage of the material and its export is restricted from the UAE.

This single consignment will enable the UK to manufacture millions of face masks.

"We are delighted to be able to assist Britain, one of our closest friends and allies. The UAE is committed to helping fight Covid-19 wherever it can and has donated aid to 63 countries around the world," said Mansoor Abulhoul, UAE’s ambassador to the UK.

With careful supply chain management, the UAE has not exhausted domestic supplies of melt blown fabric, which is used in the oil industry and is manufactured in the UAE.

The UAE has sent aid to the UK in the past as the country remains committed to the global fight against the pandemic.

On May 1, 60 tonnes of urgent medical aid were sent to help the National Health Service in the UK on the orders of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.

The NHS has been given rent-free use of ExCel London, the conference centre owned by the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre which is currently NHS Nightingale.

To date, the country has sent more than 716 tonnes of medical aid to 63 countries. More than 716,000 medical professionals have been assisted around the world.

Most recently, on June 4, the emirates sent eight tonnes of medical supplies to Cuba to assist about 8,000 medical professionals as they work to contain the virus.

The UAE has also donated $10 million (Dh36.7m) worth of Covid-19 testing kits, enough for 500,000 people, to the World Health Organisation.

The donation supports global efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus and improve testing in countries where kits are scarce.

Earlier, Reem Al Hashimy, the UAE Minister of State for International Co-operation, addressed the Global Vaccine Summit 2020.

Ms Al Hashimy said the country remained committed to a future free from disease and to fighting Covid-19.

"I reaffirm my country's commitment to freeing the next generation from disease and creating a healthier, more prosperous world for all through immunisation," Ms Al Hashimy said.

World leaders met at the online conference to raise $7.4 billion for replenish Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, over the next five years.

Ms Al Hashimy highlighted the work the UAE has done with Gavi over many years with other diseases, and recent efforts to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

"We are also dedicating significant resources to the global health agenda focusing on ending preventable diseases that affect the world's poorest," she said.

Last week, Ms Al Hashimy attended another online pledging conference, aimed at raising $2.4bn to support aid operations in Yemen and curb the spread of the coronavirus there.

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogenChromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxideUltramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica contentOphiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on landOlivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour

Britain's travel restrictions
  • A negative test 2 days before flying
  • Complete passenger locator form
  • Book a post-arrival PCR test
  • Double-vaccinated must self-isolate
  • 11 countries on red list quarantine

     
ARGENTINA SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Franco Armani, Agustin Marchesin, Esteban Andrada
Defenders: Juan Foyth, Nicolas Otamendi, German Pezzella, Nicolas Tagliafico, Ramiro Funes Mori, Renzo Saravia, Marcos Acuna, Milton Casco
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Guido Rodriguez, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Roberto Pereyra, Rodrigo De Paul, Angel Di Maria
Forwards: Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Lautaro Martinez, Paulo Dybala, Matias Suarez

How to avoid crypto fraud
  • Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
  • Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
  • Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
  • Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
  • Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
  • Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
  • Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.