The Agence Française de Développement (AFD) will allocate €15m to Egypt’s Ministry of Health to help fight against the coronavirus (COVID-19), according to Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat.
The allocation was formalised through the signing of a joint agreement between Minister Al-Mashat, Minister of Health Hala Zayed, and France’s Ambassador to Egypt Stephen Romatet.
In a press statement on Monday, Minister Al-Mashat said the AFD’s financial provision will be used to purchase medical equipment and obtain protection and prevention tools to combat the coronavirus.
The minister added that this project was designed to strengthen and expand the scope of comprehensive primary health care services in Egypt.
“The agreement emphasises the close and deep relations between Egypt and France in various fields including health care which is a national priority for Egypt,” she said.
For her part, Minister Hala Zayed praised the cooperation with the FDA, also praising its efforts in supporting Egypt’s Ministry of Health in facing the pandemic.
Zayed stressed the depth of relations between France and Egypt, especially in the health sector, pointing out to further cooperation that already exists between the two. She emphasised that the two countries are already working on developing primary care units in five governorates across Egypt, including Port Said, Suez, Ismailia, Sharqeya and Daqahleya.
“The COVID-19 epidemic has affected us all and no country has been immune to it. To combat this virus, we should show more solidarity than ever before with the help of rapid action to help our friends and partners,” Ambassador Romatet commented.
“This €15m funding provided by the FDA, which France wanted to allocate as quickly as possible, reflects France’s full support provided to Egypt in fighting this epidemic, whatever the circumstances, and Egypt can count on France, which stands next to it more than ever before,” he added.
Fabio Grazi, AFD Country Director for Egypt, said the agreement’s signing represents an important step on France’s path in supporting the Egyptian authorities. It comes as part of Egyptian efforts to control the pandemic in the country, and its health, social, and economic effects.
