UAE shows exemplary generosity in international virus response

ABU DHABI - While some countries, especially in Europe, have hesitated to provide support to even their closest neighbours out of concern for their medical stocks, the UAE has shown tremendous generosity, in a move aimed at strengthening the principle of solidarity between nations and in times of adversity.

Since the outbreak of the epidemic in China last December, the Gulf state has provided aid to dozens of affected countries, most recently to South Africa.

On Monday, the UAE sent a plane loaded with tonnes of medical equipment to Cape Town to advance efforts to curb the spread of the epidemic.

The shipment contained 7 tonnes of medical supplies, which is set to benefit 7,000 health workers.

UAE authorities announced an initiative to support South Africa at all political, economic, social, and educational levels, affirming their commitment to support international efforts in combating the virus, particularly in countries with weaker infrastructures. 

"The UAE has dedicated itself to working as an active partner and active participant in the international community in light of the global efforts to combat the COVID-19 virus," UAE Ambassador to South Africa, Mahsh Saeed Al Hamili, told the Emirates News Agency (WAM).

"The aid comes to South Africa, as part of the country's ongoing efforts to help other nations limit the spread of the epidemic," Al-Hamli added.

The UAE has so far sent about 260 tonnes of medical supplies to more than 24 countries, the equivalent of assisting 260,000 health workers worldwide.

Emirati aid has so far extended to Iran, Serbia, Croatia, Afghanistan, China, Brazil, Malaysia, Ukraine, Cyprus, Mauritania, Colombia, Bulgaria, Somalia, Pakistan and more.

On March 16, the UAE sent two aid planes carrying medical supplies and relief equipment to rival Iran.

The two planes that took off from the capital Abu Dhabi carried more than 32 tonnes of supplies, including boxes of gloves, surgical masks and protective equipment.

It was the second such trip made by a medical cargo plane from the UAE to Iran in a few days, preceded by a batch on March 3 carrying 7.5 tonnes of medical supplies in cooperation with the World Health Organization.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Gebresus thanked the UAE for its continued support to global efforts to tackle the virus.

For his part, Serbian President Alexander Vucic thanked the UAE for siding with the Serbian people during the ordeal, while criticising the European Union for abandoning his country during these exceptional circumstances.

Activists on social media posted a video of the Serbian President thanking Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, for his assistance to the country, describing him as a "great friend."

As of Tuesday, the UAE has 7,755 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 respiratory disease, and 46 deaths.