Third Saudi Plane Carrying Medical Aid Arrives in Tunisia

A third plane carrying medical supplies to help combat the spread of the coronavirus arrived in Tunisia on Thursday on an air bridge set up by Saudi Arabia (SPA)
A third plane carrying medical supplies to help combat the spread of the coronavirus arrived in Tunisia on Thursday on an air bridge set up by Saudi Arabia (SPA)
TT

Third Saudi Plane Carrying Medical Aid Arrives in Tunisia

A third plane carrying medical supplies to help combat the spread of the coronavirus arrived in Tunisia on Thursday on an air bridge set up by Saudi Arabia (SPA)
A third plane carrying medical supplies to help combat the spread of the coronavirus arrived in Tunisia on Thursday on an air bridge set up by Saudi Arabia (SPA)

Following the directives of King Salman, a third Saudi plane carrying medical supplies to help combat the coronavirus arrived in Tunisia on Thursday.

Orders to send medical assistance to the North African state were issued after a request for aid by Tunisian President Kais Saied during a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The aid, which included medical machines, care and treatment devices, and protective equipment, was flown by a team from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief).

Saudi Ambassador to Tunisia Abdul Aziz bin Ali Al-Saqr, Tunisian Minister of Defense Brahim Bartagi, Minister of Health Dr. Fawzi Al-Mahdi, and the president’s chief of staff Nadia Akacha, were on hand when the plane reached the tarmac.

Bartagi said that the Kingdom sent high-precision equipment and advanced technology, which would improve the capability of public hospitals to receive patients, adding that the Kingdom “generously offered to send a large number of medical and treatment devices, vaccines and other necessary materials.”

Nissaf Ben Alya, a spokeswoman for the Tunisian health ministry, praised the assistance provided by the Kingdom to support Tunisia in this critical situation to confront the spread of the virus, adding that the Saudi leadership responded quickly and intervened rapidly with the ongoing health crisis.

She said that the Saudi medical aid had begun to make its way to public hospitals across the country.

In other news, Saudi Arabia also sent aid to help combat the spread of the coronavirus in Kyrgyzstan.

The KSrelief has dispatched a $500,000 medical aid package to support Kyrgyzstan in its fight against the COVID-19 outbreak.

King Salman instructed KSrelief to support the country, and Saudi Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Ibrahim bin Radi Al-Radi delivered the aid.



UAE Expresses Deep Concern over Escalating Violence in Sudan

UAE flag flies over a boat at Dubai Marina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates May 22, 2015. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah/File Photo
UAE flag flies over a boat at Dubai Marina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates May 22, 2015. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah/File Photo
TT

UAE Expresses Deep Concern over Escalating Violence in Sudan

UAE flag flies over a boat at Dubai Marina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates May 22, 2015. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah/File Photo
UAE flag flies over a boat at Dubai Marina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates May 22, 2015. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah/File Photo

UAE Minister of State Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan has expressed the UAE’s deep concern over violence in Sudan, particularly against women, children, and the elderly in Al Jazirah state, which resulted in the killing and wounding of a number of innocent civilians, state news agency WAM reported.

He underlined that the UAE is alarmed by reports of sexual violence against women and girls, the high risk of famine, and the continued suffering and displacement of thousands of civilians.

Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan called on the Sudanese warring parties to return to dialogue, respect their commitments under the Jeddah Declaration and the mechanisms proposed by the Aligned for Advancing Lifesaving and Peace in Sudan (ALPS) related to facilitating safe, urgent, and unhindered access to humanitarian aid. His also underscored the necessity for all parties to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law.

The Minister emphasised the importance of protecting civilians according to international humanitarian law, and the need to ensure that they are not targeted during conflict.

In this regard, Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan reaffirmed the UAE’s unwavering position in calling for an immediate ceasefire, stressing its support for efforts to achieve national consensus toward forming a civilian-led government, in a way that meets the aspirations of the Sudanese people for development and prosperity.