Turkey delivers Somalia medical aid to tackle virus

ANKARA- Anadolu Agency

A Turkish plane carrying medical aid landed early on May 4 in the Somalian capital to help the country combat the novel coronavirus outbreak.

"We delivered medical aid supplies to Somalia upon the directives of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan with the aim of combating the COVID-19 outbreak. A Turkish Armed Forces aircraft which took off last night has landed in Mogadishu," the Defense Ministry said on Twitter.

The aid was received by Somali Foreign Minister Abdulkadir Ahmed Khair and Health Minister Fowziya Abikar.

An A-400M military plane carrying supplies including stretchers, beds, and quilts departed from Etimesgut Military Airport in the Turkish capital Ankara.

On May 2, Turkey also sent a shipment of medical supplies to Somalia, including new Turkish-made ventilators.

The aid packages bear the Turkish presidential seal along with the Turkish and Somali flags and a famous saying by 13th-century poet and mystic Mevlana Rumi: "There is hope after despair and many suns after darkness."

Turkey donates mechanical ventilators to Somalia

Turkey also donated mechanical ventilators to Somalia to help in Mogadishu's efforts against the novel coronavirus pandemic, a senior Turkish official said on May 4.

Turkish Industry and Technology Minister Mustafa Varank said the ventilators had become a "breath" for Somalia, with many low-income countries hard-pressed in treating COVID-19 due to medical equipment shortages.

Ankara-based biotech firm BIOSYS began mass-producing a Turkish indigenous respirator last month with the support of technology firms Baykar, Arçelik and Aselsan. The first 100 devices have since been delivered and the production of 5,000 more are expected by the end of May.

Ankara will continue its efforts in its so-called national technology move to continue to realize its goals and "give hope for our country and our friends," Varank said on Twitter.

With severe shortness of breath being a hallmark of the coronavirus, the global pandemic has increased the need worldwide for mechanical ventilators.

Despite many countries instituting protectionist policies, Turkey has assisted other nations with masks, gloves and personal protective equipment.