28 February 2021, Khartoum, Sudan – A charter plane carrying life-saving medicines and medical supplies landed in Khartoum, Sudan, this morning to fill critical shortages of emergency supplies in health facilities and support the response to COVID-19. The supplies include emergency health kits, personal protective equipment, and laboratory tests.
The plane, which landed at 10 am Khartoum local time, is the first of 2 charter planes carrying a total of 54 metric tons of supplies for more than 700 000 beneficiaries across the country. The second plane is scheduled to arrive in Khartoum on 1 March.
The total supplies, estimated at a total value of US$ 795 000, were delivered with assistance to WHO as a result of the generous support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and the Sudan Humanitarian Fund, a country based pooled fund that enables humanitarian actors to respond early and fast.
“The lives of millions of people in Sudan have been disrupted by natural disasters, conflict, and disease outbreaks, including COVID-19. Their survival depends on access to health care, medical supplies and proper testing and treatment for COVID-19. Health workers also need to be protected as one of the most at-risk groups working on the frontlines to respond to these multiple emergencies,” said Dr Nima Abid, WHO Representative in Sudan.
For the first time, WHO technical logistics staff were also on board the flight to support Sudan in the planning, distribution, and monitoring of supplies and ensure that they fill urgent needs.
