Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat and British Ambassador to Egypt, Sir Geoffrey Adams, have met to discuss the UK’s cooperation with Egypt in the fight against the coronavirus (COVID-19).
In a letter addressed to Minister Al-Mashat, the ambassador set out the UK’s support for the ministry’s efforts. The letter stated that the embassy and British businesses will work together to address the immediate medical needs of both Egypt and the UK.
The UK has already provided training to over 250 Egyptian medical staff, equipping them with advanced skills in Intensive Care, Basic Life Support, and Cardiovascular Life Support.
“Vodafone has donated EGP10m, while BP has offered EGP2m to equip quarantine hospitals with ventilators and to support the treatment of COVID-19 patients,” the embassy’s statement said, “AstraZeneca has also donated 20,000 rapid coronavirus-related tests worth USD100,000, in addition to 100,000 surgical masks, 100,000 gloves and 3,000 disposable gowns,”
The UK is placing emphasis on supporting healthcare, social protection, and the economic reform agenda in its programmes in Egypt. The UK is co-hosting the virtual Global Coronavirus Response Summit on 4 May, and will host the virtual Global Vaccines Summit on 4 June.
On 20 January, a joint statement was issued by the UK’s then Secretary of State for International Development Alok Sharma and Minister Al-Mashat, outlining a number of areas of enhanced economic cooperation.
The statement added that the UK is playing a leading role in the global campaign against the coronavirus. It is currently leading the Group of 7 (G7) supporting vulnerable countries during the crisis.
The UK has confirmed a responsive funding package of over £700m, including a £130m contribution to the UN, of which £65m has been allocated to the World Health Organization (WHO).
