EU makes another donation in medical equipment to Serbia

NEWS 20.12.202016:16
Fonet

Medical protective gear from the European Union stocks has arrived in Serbia on Sunday, the EU Info Centre confirmed.

The latest EU donation for Serbia includes 500,000 face masks and gloves, some 50,000 protective suits and special shoes as well as 5,500 goggles.

The donation is financially supported by the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, and the delivery comes from the joint European stock „RescEU“ in Greece, the EU Info Centre said.

The EU sent aid to the medical system and other services at the request of Serbian authorities.

Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, Sam Fabrizi, stated that the Union is constantly working to continue providing support to Serbia at difficult moments.

“The latest donation arrives at the right time because the health system is under constant pressure due to the re-emergence of the virus. I am glad and proud that we can provide these materials to Serbia in a spirit of solidarity, while working hard to facilitate access to vaccines,” Fabrizi was quoted as saying.

Responding to the crisis caused by the pandemic, the EU made 93 million euros available to Serbia, of which 15 million euros were earmarked for the immediate response and 78 million euros for the medium-term economic recovery.

During the spring, the EU sent 15 cargo planes which landed at Nikola Tesla Airport and transported over 721 tonnes of equipment, which Serbia procured for the fight against coronavirus. The EU covered transport costs in the amount of 7.1 million euros.

The union also provided funds to the Serbian authorities to hire 200 domestic medical workers for a period of six months and donated medical supplies worth 4.9 million euros, as well as 14 ambulances and decontamination vehicles for Serbian hospitals.