Moldova received a consignment of humanitarian assistance from Germany to the value of about €10 million. The aid is offered to help the country contain the COVID-19 pandemic and includes masks, gloves, medical suits, pulse oximeters, oxygenators and ventilators. The lot consists of 100 ventilators, 900 pulse oximeters, 11 million masks and respirators, 500,000 gloves, 500,000 protective glasses and 150,000 protective suits. The assistance will be distributed to all the national hospitals.

President Maia Sandu said the assistance came at the right moment. In the discussions she had with medical staff of a number of hospitals, she was warned by doctors that they are running out of protective equipment for COVID-19. “This generous lot was provided as a result of the discussion I had with Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel in March, when I explained to her the serious situation in which our health system is and asked for assistance to remedy the situation. The support offered when necessary is an additional proof of the fact that Germany is a reliable partner and a true friend of our country,” said President Sandu.

Germany’s Ambassador in Chisinau Angela Ganninger noted that the Government and the people of Germany make common cause with the citizens of the Republic of Moldova and continue to offer them support in this period that is difficult for everyone. The consignment will supplement the emergency supplies with equipment needed in the fight against COVID-19. Since the start of the pandemic, Germany has offered Moldova medical devices and protective equipment to the value of over €1 million, plus €5 million for the bilateral projects of the of German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) aimed at alleviating the economic consequences of the pandemic.

“Germany is also one of the largest backers of the COVAX Facility that is designed to globally ensure access to safe and efficient COVID-19 vaccines. The Republic of Moldova benefited from free vaccines through COVAX. I’m convinced that together we will manage to overcome this crisis and will be able to return to normality. The German state will continue to be a real friend of the Republic of Moldova and will offer constant support so as to improve the living standards and welfare of the citizens here, at home,” stated Angela Ganinnger.

The lot was shipped to Moldova through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism with the support of Team Europa. EU Ambassador to Moldova Peter Michalko said Germany’s assistance to the value of 200 million lei is impressive and is an expression of solidarity on the part of Germany, which is an EU member state. “The EU member states have been near the people in the Republic of Moldova with protective equipment and vaccines against COVID-19 as together we can overcome this danger threatening us all. The Europa Union and the EU member states mobilized all the available means to support the strengthening of the public health sector and to alleviate the socioeconomic impact of the pandemic in the Republic of Moldova. Our objective is to support the Republic of Moldova so that it keeps the spread of the virus under control. The EU donated protective equipment and will continue to be attentive to the needs of our partners,” noted Peter Michalko.

Attending the event, Mihail Ciocanu, director of the Emergency Medicine Institute of Chisinau, said the donation from Germany represents one quarter of the needs of the intensive care units of the country. “That’s why it is our responsibility to use this assistance reasonably,” he stated.