DILI, 11 november 2021 (TATOLI) – The US Pacific Air Forces provided 45 boxes of personal protective equipment (PPE) to the Ministry of Health of Timor-Leste.
The handover ceremony took place at the office of Timor-Leste’s Medical and Pharmaceutical Supply Agency (SAMES), in Dili, today.
The 45 boxes of the PPE were given to help end the pandemic, mitigate harm to people and societies, and strengthen recovery.
“On behalf of the United States, I am very proud to officially offer to the Government of Timor-Leste, additional personal protective equipment from US Pacific Air Forces, to fight the Covid-19,” U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Defense (DASD) for South and Southeast Asia Lindsey W. Ford made the comments at the handover ceremony, in Dili, today.
She said the contribution reflects the US commitment to helping Timor-Leste and countries around the world to end the Covid-19.
The United States has worked side-by-side with the Government of Timor-Leste since the beginning of the pandemic by providing 100,620 Pfizer vaccines and more than US$5.9 million in critical assistance to fight COVID-19.
This includes US$2.3 million in funding through US Indo-Pacific Command and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to build isolation facilities in Baucau, construct a mobile intensive care unit in Dili, and increase water capacity and sanitation at a quarantine center in Batugade.
This US support builds on over US$250 million that USAID has contributed to support inclusive, peaceful development in Timor-Leste since 2002.
“The US is committed to leading the global Covid-19 response, that’s why we are the largest funder of the COVAX Facility which is efficient and transparent to facilitate global access to vaccines,” said Ford.
At the same place, the Minister of Health, Odete Maria Freitas Belo expressed her deepest appreciation for the support given by the US.
“The PPE will definitely help to protect many from severe infections, and also contribute to strengthening the ongoing public health measures,” Belo said.
She said that: “I sincerely hope that the US Government will continue providing support to straightening public health in Timor-Leste.”
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
