UAE sends 300,000 Covid-19 vaccine doses to Comoros

The UAE has dispatched an aircraft carrying 9 metric tonnes of medical supplies and 300,000 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine to the Union of the Comoros.

The aircraft was received at the airport of the Comorian capital, Moroni, by Azali Assoumani, President of the Union of the Comoros, and Saeed Al Maqbali, UAE Ambassador to the Comoros, reported state-run news agency WAM on Wednesday.

“This gesture is part of the UAE’s efforts to support the drive of Comoros’ government and medical sector in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Al Maqbali.

Comoros President Assoumani commended the UAE’s global humanitarian and developmental efforts, highlighting the UAE’s continuous support for his country.

Besides Comoros, the UAE has also dispatched vaccines to several other countries over the last few months.

In March, the UAE sent a second shipment of 38,700 doses of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine to the Gaza Strip, following a shipment of 20,000 Sputnik V vaccines in February.

Similarly, last month, it sent vaccine shipments to Tunisia, Yemen, Sudan and Belarus.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, directed officials within the country to dispatch 11 tonnes of medical diagnostic equipment, ventilators, mobile breathing units and PPE (personal protective equipment) and 500,000 doses of the Covid-19 vaccines to Tunisia.

In May, the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) and the Tamouh Healthcare Company launched a joint initiative to provide Covid-19 vaccines to several countries. Under the MoU, Tamouh will provide the vaccines that will be donated to countries and target groups to combat the pandemic, in addition to vaccinating the target groups in Abu Dhabi.

Read: UAE launches new programme to provide Covid-19 vaccines for several countries

The UAE, represented by the ERC subsequently dispatched a shipment of 60,000 Covid-19 jabs to Socotra Governorate, Yemen. Through the ERC, the UAE also sent 11,000 doses of the vaccine to Belarus last month.