Pakistan helping Syria out in its fight against COVID-19

A Pakistani plane loaded with medical assistance, aimed at supporting the efforts of the Syrian government to confront the coronavirus pandemic, reached the Damascus International Airport on Sunday.

Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) organised the aid, including medical equipment, masks, protective gears and other health items, on the request of the Syrian government. Syrian Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister Faisal Mikdad expressed gratitude to Pakistani government for supporting Syria, and stated that the shipment sent by Pakistan, was the largest shipment ever received by the country during the health crisis.

Currently, Syria is considered vulnerable to the pandemic due to dire humanitarian situation and the civil war that has been ongoing for nearly a decade. The total number of COVID-19 infections registered in Syria has reached at 5789, out of which 2021 ones have recovered while 292 others have died.

Under this situation, Syrian Deputy Health Minister Ahmad Khleifawi stressed the importance of this aid in supporting the country’s health sector, as reported by a Syrian state-run news agency (SANA).

Since the beginning of the crisis in Syria, some countries have reduced their diplomatic activities in Damascus, but Pakistan has maintained its unbiased political stance towards the war-torn country.

After receiving the aid, Pakistani Ambassador to Damascus Saeed Muhammad Khan ensured that the aid would be effectively distributed to hospitals and authorities in Syria.