Coronavirus: UAE sends 18 tonnes of aid to Mauritania on Etihad flight

The country has now donated more than 200 tonnes of aid, including medical equipment

The UAE sent a plane carrying 18 metric tonnes of medical and food aid to Mauritania as a gesture of solidarity in the fight against Covid-19.

The shipment, which contained testing kits, medical devices, and food supplies, will help about 10,000 healthcare workers.

Hamad Al Mehairi, UAE ambassador to Mauritania, said: "While the world faces extraordinary challenges, such hardship provides an opportunity to embrace unity and cooperation as never seen before."

"This aid approach by the UAE, which prioritises critical assistance to those exhibiting pressing need, aims to ensure that no one is left behind."

The flight was the latest to support friends and neighbours.

Earlier this month, shipments were sent to Italy, Kazakhstan and Pakistan.

Last week, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organisation, said: "I would like to thank the African Union, the governments of the United Arab Emirates and Ethiopia, the Jack Ma Foundation, and all our partners for their solidarity with African countries at this critical moment in history."

To date, the UAE has sent more than 239 metric tonnes of aid to over 22 countries, supporting 240,000 medical professionals in the process, state news agency Wam reported.