Venezuela receives second shipment of technical assistance from International Federation of Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies to fight COVID-19 - MPPRE

Venezuela receives second shipment of technical assistance from International Federation of Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies to fight COVID-19

Minister of People’s Power for Health Carlos Alvarado received on Monday, April 20, a second shipment of technical assistance and medical supplies from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to fight COVID-19 in Venezuela. At a warehouse of the Catia La Mar Maritime Customs, La Guaira state, and accompanied by the Vice Minister of Multilateral Affairs Alexander Yánez, Alvarado explained that this 22-ton shipment contains medical supplies, sanitizer kits, water purification tablets, water storage recipients, first aid kits and electric plants as part of the Road Map agreement endorsed by Venezuela and the Red Cross in June 2019 to strengthen healthcare in the face of novel coronavirus. “This technical assistance is divided fifty-fifty between the Venezuelan Red Cross and the Public National Healthcare System. Last year we received nearly 70 tons of medial supplies. This year so far, this is the second shipment for a total of 70 additional tons of healthcare supplies,” said the Venezuelan health minister. Alvarado stressed that one of the most important elements to control coronavirus is the disinfection of public places and this shipment contains supplies suitable for this task. He recalled that the agreement endorsed by Venezuelan and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies also includes the opening of an IFRC office in Venezuela. The Venezuelan health minister referred to humanitarian aid from other countries and recalled the support provided by the People’s Republic of China. “We must not forget that we are facing a criminal blockade that limits and makes it more difficult for us to access medicines and test kits to fight coronavirus. Therefore, we have strengthened our relation with China, not only to access technical, humanitarian aid, but also to purchase,” he explained. Finally, Alvarado said Venezuela is expecting a fifth shipment from the People’s Republic of China next week.