Over 1 million protective face masks were donated to the Republic of Moldova. The batch was purchased by the World Health Organization with the financial support of Germany and is to be distributed to all the medical institutions in the country, including the Transnistrian region, IPN reports.

Germany’s Ambassador in Chisinau Angela Ganninger said the over 1 million masks and other assistance provided to the Republic of Moldova represent a gesture of solidarity in the fight against COVID-19. The financial value of the donation is about US$ 300,000.

UN Resident Coordinator for the Republic of Moldova Simon Springett said now that we are probably entering a new wave of COVID-19 cases, we need to maximally protect ourselves, while the vaccines brought to the Republic of Moldova are efficient, free and accessible.

WHO Representative to the Republic of Moldova Liliana Gârbici said the transportation and delivery of the over 1 million masks was ensured in cooperation with WHO. A Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence was recently inaugurated in Berlin. This will help the countries to respond to challenges related to COVID-19.

“Data showed that the medical personnel in March-May 2020 were more exposed to the risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 than the general population. That’s why the medical equipment needs to be used. Each of us plays an important role in containing COVID-19 by vaccination, maintaining of physical distancing, avoidance of crowded places, wearing of masks,” noted Liliana Gârbici. Moldova so far received WHO assistance to fight the pandemic totaling about US$6.5 million.