Rwanda received a donation of protective masks from Turkey to help in its fight against COVID-19.
Rwanda’s ministry of foreign affairs and international cooperation confirmed receipt of the donation, saying it was “a sign of friendship and solidarity between the two countries in the fight against COVID-19.”
According to information from the Turkish embassy in Rwanda, Ankara sent 50,000 face masks while a private company donated a further 40,000 to Kigali.
The masks arrived on Thursday in a flight repatriating Rwandan citizens stranded in Turkey, and would head back to Ankara with Turkish citizens stranded in Rwanda due to the disruption of international travel.
The donation of protective masks was received by Ambassador Guillaume Kavaruganda, the Director-General for Europe, America and International Organization.
Kavaruganda Thanked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for the donation, saying it will boost the East African country’s fight against COVID-19.
He said health workers will benefit from the donation as they lead Rwanda’s fight against the pandemic.
He added that his country was committed to working with Turkey to implement various areas of cooperation, including education, training programs for police and diplomats, bilateral consultations and trade.
On his part, the Turkish Ambassador to Rwanda, Burcu Çevik, commended the East African country’s efforts against the disease, saying it was a show of strong leadership that oversaw rapid and active implementation of measures.
Ambassador Guillaume Kavaruganda received Ambassador BURCU Çevik of Turkey to Rwanda in the handover of protective masks from the people of Turkey to the people of Rwanda as a sign of friendship and solidarity between the two countries in the fight against #COVID19. 🇷🇼🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/KK6sv32F8R
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Int'l Cooperation (@RwandaMFA) June 25, 2020
(With input from New Times Rwanda)
