Turkish military cargo plane carrying medical equipment departs for US
A Turkish military cargo plane carrying medical supplies for use against the coronavirus pandemic departed on Tuesday for the US.
“The loading process of the medical aid supplies to be delivered to the US by Turkish Armed Forces aircraft has been completed. Our aircraft carrying the medical aid supplies to be used in combating COVID-19 has departed from Etimesgut Airfield/Ankara,” the Turkish Defense Ministry said on Twitter.
The medical aid supplies also carried on a message for the people of the US, saying: “After hopelessness, there is so much hope and after darkness, there is the much brighter sun. Rumi.”
The ministry also released a statement saying that the medical aid supplies leaving for Washington were prepared under the instructions of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Turkey sends medical aid to US to help fight COVID-19
“The health supplies prepared by the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Health consists of masks, face visors, N95 masks and overalls,” it added.
The ministry also said: “Our Turkish Armed Forces aircrafts have also delivered health supplies previously to Spain, Italy, Britain, Serbia, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Libya and Somalia.”
US thanks Turkey for donation
The US thanked Turkey for donating medical supplies in cooperation to combat the novel coronavirus outbreak in the worst-hit country.
“During times of crisis, like the worldwide effort to combat COVID-19, close coordination among like-minded allies and partners is key to developing a swift and effective response. None of us can do this alone,” US Ambassador to Turkey David Satterfield said in a statement.
“On behalf of the US Government, I want to thank our NATO Ally Turkey for today’s generous donation of medical supplies and other essential equipment.”
Satterfield noted that the donation is scheduled for delivery later in the day via Turkish A-400M military aircraft to Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, D.C.
He stressed that the donation will be distributed to those who need them most across the US by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“As this delivery indicates, the US-Turkey relationship is strong and one of our most important alliances,” the ambassador said. “We look forward to continuing cooperation with Turkey on this and many other mutual priorities.” Read more
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