March 27, 2020: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government handed over 11 tonnes of medical supplies to the Seychelles government, as humanitarian aid to help contain and mitigate the spread of the Covid-19 virus in the country. The medical supplies comprise of coveralls, isolation gowns, gloves, masks, and other medical items. Seychelles recorded 7 cases as of March 26.

Africa is witnessing a rapid rise in the number of reported confirmed Covid-19 cases, with a 25 percent daily increase over the past five days. As of March 26, 39 countries reported a total of 216 cases in the past 24 hours, a significant increase from a month ago, when one country in the region was reporting a handful of cases. Since the start of the outbreak, 39 countries have reported more than 1,800 cases of Covid-19, and there have been 31 deaths.

The medical supplies are a special donation from Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to assist Seychelles in being better equipped to combat this pandemic and to protect its front liners for more months ahead.

This gesture is the testimony of a strong bond of friendship that exists between Seychelles and the UAE.