ABU DHABI — The United Arab Emirates on Saturday sent a plane carrying 56 tons of medical supplies, including oxygen cylinders, respiratory equipment and COVID-19 vaccines, to Indonesia, in support of the country's efforts there to combat and contain the spread of the pandemic.

Abdullah Salem Al Dhaheri, UAE ambassador to Indonesia, praised the strong relations between the UAE and Indonesia, which are reflected in continuous contacts, cross visits and growing cooperation between the two countries.

"Indonesia was among the first countries to receive medical aid from the UAE to combat COVID-19. In April 2020, the UAE sent to Indonesia a plane carrying 20 tonnes of medical supplies, to help healthcare workers to contain the spread of the pandemic," he added.

The UAE also sent on Saturday an aid plane carrying nine tons of medical supplies, testing kits, ventilators and COVID-19 vaccines to Rwanda.

Hazza Mohammed Kharsan Al Qahtani, UAE ambassador to Rwanda, expressed thanks to the UAE leadership for the initiatives to help countries of the world combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

He praised the strong relations between the UAE and Rwanda and the growing cooperation between the two countries, particularly in economic, commercial and investment domains.

"Rwanda was among the first countries to receive medical aid from the UAE to combat COVID-19. In June 2020, the UAE sent to Rwanda a plane carrying four tonsof medical supplies, to help over 4,000 healthcare workers to contain the spread of the pandemic. In February 2021, the UAE sent a plane carrying 7.8 tonnes of medical aid, in support of the Rwandan government's efforts to fight COVID-19, " Al Qahtani said.

To date, the UAE has responded to the COVID-19 crisis by providing over 2,200 tons of aid to more than 135 countries. — WAM