Africa’s response to the Coronavirus Disease
(COVID-19) outbreak received a boost today as the Africa Centres for Disease
Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the Government of Ethiopia received a
consignment of medical equipment from the Jack Ma and Alibaba Foundations.
The shipment included over 1.5 million
laboratory diagnostic test kits and over 100 tons of infection prevention and
control commodities.
This relief initiative was launched by the Prime
Minister of Ethiopia, Dr Abiy Ahmed, the Jack Ma Foundation, and Alibaba
Foundation as part of actions towards implementation of the Africa joint
continental strategy for COVID-19 led by the African Union through Africa CDC.
“On behalf of the Chairperson of the African
Union, His Excellency, Cyril Ramaphosa, we thank the Jack Ma and Alibaba
Foundations for this generous hospitality and contribution to the continent. We
thank His Excellency the Prime Minister, and the Government of Ethiopia, for
facilitating the donation,” said H.E. Mr Edward Xolisa Makaya, South Africa’s
Permanent Representative to Ethiopia and the African Union.
“This is a great honour and initiative and a
great sign of solidarity that the world needs at this critical time. The test
kits and other materials will support African countries in their fight against
this outbreak. We are facing a humanitarian situation, an economic situation
and a security situation in the continent and Africa CDC clearly applauds the
initiative of the prime minister and the Jack Ma and Alibaba Foundations,” said
Dr John Nkengasong, Director of Africa CDC.
The COVID-19 outbreak continues to spread
rapidly across the continents of the world claiming thousands of lives and huge
resources. In just about three months it has caused over 12,000 deaths
worldwide and impacted socioeconomic activities, particularly tourism and
transport.
Ethiopian Airlines will help distribute the
equipment, consisting 20,000 laboratory diagnostic test kits, 100,000 medical
masks, and 1000 protective suits and face shields, to each of the Member States
as part of their contribution to the fight against COVID-19 in Africa.
“We appeal to our ministries of health to ensure
that these materials are distributed and used where they are mostly needed,”
said H.E. Ambassador Mohamed Idriss Farah, Permanent Representative of the
Republic of Djibouti, Dean of African Diplomatic Corps, and Chair of the
African Union Peace and Security Council.
