The Last Shipment of Essential Protective Equipment Arrives in Yerevan from Beijing

On May 15, an aircraft that arrived from Beijing, China, transported the last batch of essential personal protective equipment to Yerevan. This shipment was procured by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) for the Ministry of Health to enhance the capabilities of medical institutions in Armenia to care for patients with COVID-19.

The WFP has announced that since the onset of the pandemic, it has been working together with the government of Armenia and partners to transport 125,000 pieces of essential personal protective equipment aimed at safeguarding frontline health care workers. This includes 80,000 medical protective suits, protective glasses, face shields, and more.

Thanks to the support of the 'My Step' Foundation, the 'Izmirlian' Foundation, the 'Gulbenkian' Foundation, the 'Saint Sarkis' humanitarian foundation, the Armenian General Benevolent Union, Eduardo Eurnekian's companies, as well as the support from the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs in Armenia and resources from the WFP, equipment worth 1 million USD has been acquired.

The transport operations were organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “WFP is supporting governments around the world and in Armenia to respond to the increasing needs arising from the outbreak of the virus. We are inspired by the health care workers on the frontline and the efforts of the Ministry of Health in responding to this emergency, and we greatly appreciate the collaboration established with key ministries, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which facilitated the realization of flights from China,” stated Elena Milosevic, WFP representative and office director in Armenia.

As demand continues to rise, WFP is actively seeking support from its partners to provide assistance to the Armenian population and government during this challenging time. Globally, the UN is pooling its resources and working cooperatively with governments to ensure that medical supplies reach those in need.

In Armenia, the WFP, along with the UN’s permanent coordinator and WHO, leads the cargo transport sector to support the Armenian government and partners supplying medical equipment, food, and non-food items. Due to the strong partnership established with national authorities, flights from Armenia and key hubs around the world will continue to carry medical equipment to Armenia.

It is noteworthy that the UN World Food Programme saves lives in emergencies and transforms the lives of millions of people through sustainable development. The WFP operates in over 80 countries, providing food to those caught in conflict and disaster and laying the groundwork for a better future.