CAIRO: President Hosni Mubarak announced Monday Egypt’s plans to send medical and humanitarian supplies to Haiti, which was struck by a tragic earthquake last week.
“Egypt plans to send medical supplies whose value has not yet been determined, said Ambassador Hisham El-Zemaity, assistant foreign minister for American Affairs, “These supplies will be sent through the Red Cross.
El-Zemaity added that Egypt might also send a delegation of doctors, however acknowledging that the language barrier might be a problem.
While countries such as the United States are acting on more pressing issues such as the deaths in Haiti, the Egyptian government plans on providing aid for a more long-term solution.
He explained that all of the government’s initiatives are done in collaboration with the Egyptian Red Crescent.
Furthermore, official spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Ahmed Aboul Gheit is trying to find the fastest way to send the supplies, in collaboration with Arab and Latin American governments.
Additionally, an anonymous government source told Daily News Egypt that the government plans on sending “field hospitals.
Egypt is collaborating in helping the people of Haiti as part of the UN’s Flash Appeal.
In related news, the United Arab Emirates’ Red Crescent Authority is sending planes to the neighboring Domican Republic, where it will purchase “food supplies worth $500,000, Abdul Rahman al-Taniji, manager of RCA’s media and public relations department, told IRIN.
Also, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, ruler of Kuwait donated $1 million to Haiti and sent 100 tons of supplies that include medical supplies, food and blankets. Qatar, Lebanon, Jordan and Iran have all also joined in the efforts.
