Washington, US – The United States of America announced Maldives among the first countries to receive COVID-19 vaccine donations from the country.
Following the announcement, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih conveyed the gratitude of the Maldivian people to US President Joe Biden and stated that donated vaccine was highly welcome in the fight against COVID.
In addition to the President, Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid also expressed gratitude via Twitter towards the US government Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
In his statement, Minister Shahid said that the inclusion was a testament to the trusted and close partnership between Maldives and the US.
He also expressed gratitude towards the US government and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
According to the White House, 25 million doses were pledged to increase global coverage and tackle ongoing and possible surges high burdens of disease, and the needs of the most vulnerable countries. Out of this, approximately seven million doses of COVAX will be donated to South and Southeast Asia.
Additionally, they have set aside over six million doses to be shared directly with countries experiencing surges, those in crisis, and other partners and neighbors, including Canada, Mexico, India, and the Republic of Korea.
This donation comes soon after US Agency for International Development’s website (USAID) airlifted critical health supplies to Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
The supplies sent to Maldives from USAID include 600 pulse oximeters and 292,000 vital pieces of personal protective equipment to support frontline healthcare workers and people most affected by the current outbreak.
