The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon has donated masks, gloves and protective suits to southern Naqoura Municipality, which hosts the mission, as part of efforts to help counter the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic, UNIFIL said in a statement.
“During these trying times, it’s imperative to care for one another,” said UNIFIL commander Stefano Del Col.
“The unprecedented situation requires exceptional measures, maximum cooperation as well as a pro-active approach in assisting the local population that has welcomed us since 1978.”
The donated medical items include 750 surgical masks, 10 N95 masks, 300 pairs of ordinary gloves, 30 pairs of heavy-duty gloves, 10 protective suites and 10 shoe covers, according to the statement.
After receiving the items, Mayor Abbass Awada thanked UNIFIL for its support while stressing that Naquora is doing its utmost to contain the spread of the virus, said the statement.
“This is the time to work all together shoulder-to-shoulder in fighting Covid-19,” he said. “The Municipality of Naqoura is continuing its efforts and measures aimed at fighting the spread of the virus and urges residents to stay home.”
From the start of the Covid-19 outbreak, UNIFIL has taken all the necessary precautionary measures to prevent the virus infecting its more than 11,000 military and civilian peacekeepers as well as the local populations, the statement underlined.
Despite the "difficult" situation, UNIFIL is continuing to carry out its operational activities around the clock in coordination with the Lebanese armed forces in order to ensure stability along the Blue Line border demarcation between Lebanon and Israel, the statement concluded.
