Australia delivers emergency medical support to Nepal

 Australia sent a Royal Australian Air Force flight with medical supplies to Nepal.

The medical supplies that landed at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) today are expected to assist in the frontline response to the Covid-19 crisis, according to a press note issued by the Australian Embassy in Kathmandu.

Australia’s ambassador to Nepal Felicity Volk handed over the equipment to Nepal Army Chief of General Staff Prabhu Ram Sharma at the international airport. The shipment include AUD$1.8 million worth of surgical masks, face shields and gloves, which were requested by the Nepal Army and donated by the Western Australian Government, the press note reads, adding that the support is in addition to the AUD$7 million announced on May 21, which is enabling established NGOs to provide medical equipment and oxygen for hospitals and training for health workers. "The Australian government continues to support the provision of safe and effective Covid-19 vaccines to Nepal, including through support to COVAX."

Handing the assistance, ambassador Volk said that the delivery to Nepal was part of Australia’s regional effort tosupport its friends in South Asia, with medical supplies provided to Sri Lanka and India in addition to Nepal. Recognising the important role of the Nepal Army in delivering frontline health services to communities across the country, Australia has directed its supplies to support the work of the Army in hospitals, isolation centres and cremation grounds, the press note reads. “Australia is joining with partners across the region to support urgent healthcare needs, including through the provision of PPE to protect those working on the frontlines of the health response."

Australia and Nepal have a long-standing history of working together in times of crisis, and the assistance provided through today’s flight demonstrates the warmth that Australians have for the people of Nepal, the press note adds.