The EU support against the spread of COVID-19 continues with the purchase of urgent equipment, the mobilization of medical specialists and technical assistance for crisis response in the framework of the EU aid programme for the Turkish Cypriot community.

A press release issued on Friday by the Representation of the European Commission in Cyprus said that the EU through a Contribution Agreement with UNDP in Cyprus successfully procured the first batch of urgent medical equipment and supplies for an amount of EUR 2.5 million and has also mobilised 25 medical specialists for three months to help the fight against COVID-19.

This is the first tranche of the EUR 5 million budget earmarked by the European Commission for the fight against COVID-19 in the Turkish Cypriot community.  As it is noted, this action is the result of the long lasting and effective partnership with UNDP in Cyprus, which enabled a rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic following a request from the Turkish Cypriot community.  This comes in addition to the continued technical assistance to strengthen COVID-19 crisis management, coordination and response mechanism, the press release added.

The procurement of the first batch of urgent equipment and supplies was secured from suppliers in Europe and China, and is expected to arrive in Cyprus during the month of April. The first batch of urgent equipment and supplies, include personal protection equipment (PPE), ventilators, Intensive Care Unit equipment, laboratory consumables and kits for Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and medication such as antibiotics, antivirals, sedatives and paralytics. 

According to the press release, to improve the response capacity against the spread of COVID-19 in the Turkish Cypriot community, the European Commission, in collaboration with the relevant local stakeholders, is also financing the mobilisation of medical staff including 25 doctors, laboratory technicians and support staff. These staff can be mobilised with immediate effect as needed.
 
“The European Commission shall continue providing assistance to further strengthening the COVID-19 response capacities, notably in setting-up an effective management, coordination and operational response structure and upgrading the Turkish Cypriot response plan,” the press release concluded.

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