August 29, 2020

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) donated US$ 2.8 million worth medical equipment to help Myanmar in its fight against COVID-19 with a handover ceremony at the Yangon International Airport yesterday. Officials from the Ministry of Health and Sport and UNICEF welcomed the medical supplies that were transported by a special cargo flight at the airport. UNICEF Representative to Myanmar Mrs June Kunugihanded over the $2.8 million worth of medical supplies,including personal protective equipment PPEs, that arrived in Myanmar in three separate batches during the week. Medical Research Department’s Director-General Professor Dr Zaw Than Tun accepted them.

The UNICEF delivered the three-batches of medical assistance in cooperation with the World Food Programme (WFP). Additional $224,284 worth of PPEs and related items from Thailand via Myawady and from China via Muse will be received soon. A shipment of 30,000 COVID-19 Specimen carriers and 370 oxygen tanks will arrive in Myanmar in early September, according to a UNICEF statement. Upon the assistance, the UNICEF Representative said that despite logistics challenges, UNICEF was stepping up its efforts to deliver the essential medical supplies that were internationally in high demand to Myanmar on time. We must fight COVID-19 by joining our hands to protect children and most vulnerable people from the disease, she added. UNICEF has delivered medical equipment including test kits, lab equipment and medicines as well as has sent medical experts to help Myanmar’s fight against COVID-19.—MNA (Translated by Ei Phyu Phyu Aung)