The Cambodian government last week also donated 2.1 million masks to neighbouring Laos. FRESH NEWS
Cambodia has donated two million masks and other medical equipment to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 in Myanmar.
Minister of Health Mam Bun Heng will deliver the materials to Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar’s capital, on November 26, according a letter from Prime Minister Hun Sen to Myanmar Sate Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi on November 24.
“In the spirit of our longstanding friendship and solidarity and in joining hands with Your Excellency’s efforts in prevention of Covid-19 pandemic, on behalf of the Royal Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia, I would like to provide a donation of two million masks and other medical equipment, the detail of which is attached herewith, to the Government and the people of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar,” Hun Sen wrote.
“With our collective effort, I strongly believe that we will succeed in the fight against Covid-19, and we will emerge stronger together.”
Hun Sen also congratulated Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party for its landslide victory in Myanmar’s recent general election. In his words, the win reflected Suu Kyi’s able leadership in leading Myanmar to remarkable progress in national reconciliation and reconstruction.
“I would also like to reaffirm my commitment to work closely with Your Excellency in our bilateral and regional frameworks to bring about more tangible benefits for our two countries as well as greater prosperity for the ASEAN community,” he wrote.
Cambodia last week also donated 2.1 million masks to neighbouring Laos. Another two million masks were distributed to Phnom Penh residents after the “November 3 event”, which refers to the November 3 visit by Covid-19-positive Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto.
The Post was unable to contact health ministry secretary of state York Sambath to confirm how many masks the government still has in stock.
Government spokesman Phay Siphan said donating masks to neighbouring countries reflected Cambodia’s spirit and compassion, highlighting the Kingdom’s commitment to friendship and mutual assistance in difficult times.
“In this regard, Cambodia showed our humanitarian culture, not only for neighbouring countries, but for all countries around the world. Our country is poor, but we still have the ability to donate masks and other medical equipment to countries facing Covid-19,” he said.
Asked how many masks Cambodia needed to respond to unexpected emergency, Siphan said Cambodia has a policy to replace the same amount of masks that are taken from the government supply to donate to countries in need.
As of November 23, Myanmar had reported nearly 10,000 Covid-19 cases and 1,739 deaths from the virus, according to the World Health Organisation.
