As part of the European Union (EU) global response to coronaviruses, a flight from the EU humanitarian airlift from Lyon (France) will arrive in Port-au-Prince this Saturday, June 20. On board, humanitarian workers and medical supplies intended to support Haiti in its fight against Covid-19. The flight is fully funded by the EU and is part of Air Bridge's ongoing flights to critical regions of the world.

Janez Lenarčič, the Commissioner for Crisis Management, said "The EU stands in solidarity with those who need it most during this crisis in Haiti. The coronavirus pandemic has created enormous challenges for the humanitarian community and basic needs persist in critical areas. With this airlift, the EU is providing vital assistance such as humanitarian personnel and medical supplies to ensure that aid reaches as many people as possible and to help support the Haitian people."

Humanitarian staff are made up of members of the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the World Food Program (WFP) and several other non-governmental organizations active in Haiti. The cargo includes masks, gloves, personal protective equipment and more than 3,000 hepatitis and tetanus vaccines, as well as other essential medical supplies. Since 1994, the European Union has allocated almost € 419 million in humanitarian aid to Haiti to provide emergency aid to the most vulnerable, making it the largest recipient country in Latin America and the Caribbean.

IH/ iciHaiti