KATHMANDU, JUNE 05
The Australian Government sent medical supplies in assistance to Nepal in a Royal Australian Air Force flight, today.
Australia's Ambassador to Nepal Felicity Volk handed over the equipment to Chief of General Staff of Nepali Army, Lieutenant General Prabhu Ram Sharma, at the Tribhuvan International Airport.
The consignment includes AUD 1.8 million worth of supplies including surgical masks, face shields and gloves, which were requested by the Nepal Army and donated by the Western Australian Government.
Ambassador Volk said that the delivery to Nepal was part of Australia's regional effort to support its friends in South Asia, with medical supplies provided to Sri Lanka and India in addition to Nepal.
Issuing a press release today, the Australian embassy emphasised on the important role of the Nepali 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.
"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 embassy said.
Earlier on May 21, Australia had committed to providing an additional AUD 7 million (NRs 635 million) in funding to support Nepal's response to Covid-19 and the recent support is in addition to the AUD 7 million announced earlier.
The Australian Government continues to support the provision of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines to Nepal, including through support to COVAX.
