Covid-19: Switzerland sends plane load of humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka

Switzerland, on Tuesday morning, donated over half a million antigen tests, 50 ventilators, 150 oxygen concentrators as well as other medical examination materials worth LKR 800 million to Sri Lanka.

The Swiss Embassy said, in a media statement, that in view of the serious health situation in Sri Lanka and in response to a request for assistance from the Sri Lankan authorities, Swiss Humanitarian Aid immediately set up a crisis team including the Swiss Embassy in Colombo to provide Sri Lanka with medical assistance in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic as quickly as possible.

Given below is the press release: “Taking into account the needs reported from Sri Lanka, a list of humanitarian aid supplies that can be delivered by Switzerland was drawn up. On Tuesday morning, 8 June, a plane with 16 tons of material on board is landing in Colombo from Zurich. The aid shipment includes 50 ventilators provided by the Swiss Army Pharmacy, 150 oxygen concentrators, and other medical supplies (including equipment to measure oxygen saturation). In addition, the Swiss Ministry of Health is providing more than half a million antigen tests.

“The material will be received in Colombo by the Ministry of Health and then distributed to various locations, following the principle of equitable distribution throughout the country which would address the medical and humanitarian needs in the different regions.

“Switzerland already supported Sri Lanka in the fight against Covid-19 last year to the tune of around LKR 220 million. In October 2020, Switzerland had financed a PCR testing facility at the Colombo airport and provided 39,000 test kits. The aim of this contribution was to support the repatriation of Sri Lankans, particularly the migrant workers who had lost their jobs abroad due to Covid-19. For another LKR 22 million, the Swiss Embassy supports local partners in providing Covid emergency aid to the poorest and especially low-income families.”