UAE sends COVID-19 aid to Tunisia

ABU DHABI - The United Arab Emirates sent on Tuesday a plane carrying 11 tonnes of medical supplies and ventilators to Tunisia, to assist approximately 11,000 medical professionals as they work to contain the virus.

The move is part of UAE efforts to help brotherly Arab countries fight the coronavirus pandemic.

"The UAE and Tunisia have shared a common vision of development for several decades, embodied in strong bilateral relations, the exchange of experiences, and coordination in many areas of interest to both countries," said Rashed Mohammed Al Mansouri, UAE Ambassador to Tunisia.

"The UAE is keen to provide support to brotherly countries in difficult circumstances in the region and worldwide as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. In this regard, a medical aid plane was sent today to Tunisia to support the health sector and contribute to strengthening its ability to face the crisis," he added.

Tunisia took several measures to contain a rapid surge of COVID-19 cases by banning travel between the country’s regions, suspending schools and public gatherings and extending the curfew.

Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi has said crisis-hit Tunisia cannot afford a second lockdown, which would deepen the North African country’s already-struggling economy.

To date, the UAE has responded to the COVID-19 crisis by providing over 1592 tonnes of aid to 119 countries, supporting more than 1.5 million medical professionals in the process.