The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney TD, with a number of Government Departments, the HSE and state agencies are working together to provide assistance to Nepal in response to the worsening COVID-19 outbreak there.
A donation of 72 oxygen concentrators, 42 Ventilators,12 Bipap Machines, 400 Oximeters, 50 Respiratory Monitors, 50 Defibrillators, 100 Thermometers, 1,126 Oxygen and Air Regulators, 99,750 Protective Coveralls, 201,600 Face Shields and 1,008,000 surgical masks will leave Shannon Airport today on a flight to Nepal.
The equipment was donated by the HSE, Respicare, Bons Secours Hospital, Cork, Nepal Ireland Society, Bartra Healthcare, Irish Red Cross, Air Liquide Healthcare, Home Health Care and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny.
The National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (part of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage) is coordinating the dispatch of this equipment through the European Civil Protection Mechanism, working with the Department of Health, the HSE, Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Transport, Revenue and others. This support from Ireland is part of the coordinated effort by EU Member States currently underway to provide a collaborative response following Nepal’s request for assistance.
Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD said: “I am pleased that Ireland is in a position to respond to Nepal's request of EU member states for assistance. This equipment will support frontline healthcare workers in Nepal to deliver care to patients who need it. I am grateful to all those who have worked together to make this life-saving donation happen.”
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney TD said; "This support is part of a coordinated effort by EU Member States to pool our resources so that we can respond quickly to the terrible situation in Nepal. It is important that we stand with the people of Nepal in their moment of need. The Irish Aid programme, managed in my Department, is supporting the delivery costs of the donation. This is part of Irish Aid’s €100 million contribution to the global public health response to the pandemic this year.”
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD said; “I’m delighted that my Department is helping to co-ordinate this dispatch of vital equipment to Nepal – it is assistance that will make a real difference to the people of Nepal’s fight against Covid-19. We are facing a global problem and we will need a global effort to overcome it. As a nation we are providing support and solidarity to those around the globe most affected by the pandemic, something we should all be proud of.”
Janez Lenarčič, European Commissioner for Crisis Management said: “The COVID-19 surge in Nepal is claiming more lives every minute as it spreads across the country. We stand in full solidarity with Nepal in its fight against the pandemic.
“One year ago, the European Commission and the High Representative set out plans for a targeted EU response to support partner countries' efforts in tackling the Coronavirus pandemic combining resources from the EU, its Member States and European financial institutions, as ‘Team Europe'. Team Europe is committed to the global fight against the pandemic and its health, social, economic, humanitarian, security and political impacts. With this approach, the EU is showing leadership, responsibility and solidarity with those most affected by the pandemic.
“By 1 January 2021, Team Europe had already supported partner countries around the world with more than €26 billion, 65% of the overall response package that now stands at over €40 billion and exceeding the original €20 billion pledged.”
ENDS//
Notes to the Editor
In April 2021, a donation of equipment to assist with the COVID19 response was coordinated and dispatched to India from Ireland using the same European Civil Protection Mechanism. This was in response to requests by the Indian government for assistance from the EU. Further details here:
https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/c9cf7-statement-on-covid-19-assistance-to-india/
https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/2a789-statement-additional-covid-19-assistance-to-india/
The EU Civil Protection Mechanism is coordinating the EU's response and the European Union is co-funding the action. Further EU updates available here, a daily news item and social media posts using the #TeamEurope hashtag.