ADDIS ABABA (Semonegna) – USAID Ethiopia announced new global coronavirus assistance resources, including $1.85 million to support Ethiopia’s response. We are working closely with the World Health Organization, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health, the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and other partners to support capacity-building, preparation, and response to the ongoing public health emergency related to COVID-19 in Ethiopia.
USAID assistance is supporting information campaigns to inform the public on reducing the risk of spreading or contracting the virus. “We are also supporting training for healthcare workers on infection prevention and control measures, and training for Ethiopian Airlines staff on how to recognize COVID-19 symptoms. USAID will also donate personal protection equipment,” says the statement by USAID Ethiopia.
USAID has been partnering with the Government of Ethiopia for many years to strengthen the ability to prevent, detect and respond to emerging infectious diseases of pandemic potential like COVID-19.
“Please continue to take care of yourselves and your families by practicing safety measures prescribed by WHO and the Ministry of Health, and stay safe!” adds the USAID Ethiopia statement.
In related news to COVID-19 in Ethiopia, Guangdong-based Huajian Group has donated over 100,000 face masks and other anti-epidemic supplies for the fight against COVID-19 in the country.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the recently appointed Health Minister Lia Tadesse received the donation from Huajian Group representatives on 21 March 2020; and Huajian Group pledged to continue support for Ethiopia in its efforts toward containing the spread of COVID-19 in Ethiopia.
“Grateful to Huajian International for donating anti-epidemic supplies in support of Ethiopia’s COVID-19 prevention efforts. Ethiopia looks to similar benevolent acts by partners as we work diligently in preventing the spread,” said Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on his social media post. “Thank you Huajian International for your generous support in this fight,” said Health Minister Lia Tadesse on her behalf.
In related news, the first batch of protective and medical supplies donated by Jack Ma Foundation for Africa has arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 22 March 2020 through an Ethiopian Airlines cargo flight. The supplies will be distributed to all African Union member states, it was learnt, in order to fight COVID-19 in Africa.
The supplies include, among other equipment, 1.1 million testing kits, 6 million masks and 60,000 protective suits according to a post from Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, who received the donation from Jack Ma Foundation – is a charitable organization based in Hangzhou, China, and founded in 2014 by Jack Ma, Chinese billionaire and Executive Chairman of Alibaba Group.
In a statement released by the Foundation, to combat the potential surging demand for medical supplies and equipment in Africa, Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Foundation will donate to each one of the 54 African nations 20,000 testing kits, 100,000 masks, and 1,000 medical use protective suits and face shields.
In addition, the Foundation announced that it will immediately start working with medical institutions in Africa to provide online training material for COVID-19 clinical treatment.