Military flights take UK aid-funded supplies to Africa to tackle coronavirus
The first of a series of Royal Air Force (RAF) flights taking medical supplies to Africa to help fight the coronavirus pandemic departed the United Kingdom on Saturday, June 27.
The RAF C-17 took off from RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire on a journey funded by the Department For International Development.
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The transport aircraft was carried a field hospital, which will be used as a backup facility for frontline aid workers in the region.
Aid workers from around the world are playing a crucial role in West Africa working to improve health systems, prevent the spread of coronavirus and save lives.
It comes after the UK responded to a request by the United Nations (UN) to NATO’s Euro-Atlantic Disaster Relief Coordination Centre.
The UN is leading global logistics efforts to make sure supplies reach those who need them most during the pandemic.
With commercial flights disrupted and the cost of cargo flights having escalated, the UK’s support is crucial.
The field hospital has been organised by the UN World Food Programme (WFP), whose work is supported by UK aid.
It will have the capacity to care for up to 92 people.
The UK has previously announced £15 million of support to the WFP to support its coronavirus response.
The UK's International Development Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said: “This field hospital will play an important role in the global battle against coronavirus.
“Aid workers are on the frontline of the coronavirus response, and it is critical they are protected so they can continue their life-saving work”.
“This is the best of British – the UK military and UK aid – working together to solve a global problem for the benefit of all of us. No one is safe until we are all safe.”
The field hospital, which weighs approximately 130 tonnes - the equivalent of seven buses - will be transported to Accra in up to five flights.
WFP will then arrange for it to be built to support the coronavirus response where the need is greatest.
The UK's Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “The RAF and NATO are always here to help our Allies, friends and those in need around the world. I’m proud that while dealing with coronavirus we are able to provide such support to Ghana and other countries.”
The World Food Programme’s Executive Director, David Beasley, said: "WFP is incredibly grateful for this support from the UK Government in transporting essential humanitarian infrastructure and medical supplies to Africa. Commercial transport is massively disrupted.
“This kind of action allows humanitarian and health staff to stay and deliver on the frontline to battle the COVID-19 pandemic."
British High Commissioner to Ghana Iain Walker commenting on the arrival of the WFP cargo said: “Coviv-19 is a global problem that requires a global response. This UK RAF flight, working in conjunction with NATO and the World Food Programme, funded by UK development aid, shows how the UK government is using all of its resources to solve global problems. I am pleased that Ghana is the country of destination for the first of a series of UK funded RAF flights that will transport vital supplies and equipment to assist the World Food Programme and other agencies in saving lives and supporting the vulnerable. Alongside existing UK support on health, the economy and security today is another example of UK collaboration with Ghana in tackling Covid-19.”
UK Defence Adviser in Accra and Non Residence Attaché Lieutenant Colonel .A.R. McKechnie RE said: “The UK Military and Ghana Armed Forces have a long history of working together and partnering. Today, Ghana Air Force has facilitated with Ghana Airport Authorities this Royal Air Force flight to deliver World Food Programme’s vital equipment. Thank you to the UK’s Department for International Development and Ministry of Defence working with NATO to enable the WFP and Ghana tackle Covid-19 in West Africa together.”
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said: "NATO Allies are working together to address the COVID-19 pandemic and to support our partners. Last month, NATO agreed to support the UN's global call for airlift assistance. I warmly welcome that the United Kingdom is the first NATO Ally to come forward with an aid flight, delivering supplies to build a field hospital in Ghana. This is a concrete demonstration of solidarity in action – NATO Allies stepping up to save lives."
