The African Development Bank (AfDB) on Wednesday, February 24, donated Personal Protective Equipment [PPEs] worth USD 10,000 to support South Sudan’s efforts to fight COVID-19.

AfDB Country Manager Benedict Kanu revealed that the move was sanctioned under the bank’s corporate social responsibility program which settled on CARE international to discharge it.

Mr Kanu said, ‘‘Staff council approved US$10,000 for the purchase of items that would be identified by a suitable NGO in select African member countries of the bank.

‘‘In this case of South Sudan, Care International was selected by the bank and [it] identified items to be procured.’’

Country director of CARE International Rosalind Crowther appreciated the gesture saying it would help in finding a breakthrough against the disease.

“The donation will ensure the delivery of essential health services is provided in a safe environment for both the health workers and the community.”

She called on the government to protect women and girls that have so far fallen victims of domestic violence during the coronavirus period.

Emergency Operation Centre Director Dr. Angelo Goup Thon called for an ‘all-inclusive’ approach to stop the spread of the disease within the community.

Dr Thon said the PPEs would be taken to Greater Pibor Administrative Area, Ruweng Administrative Area parts of Unity State and Western Bahr el Ghazal.

“We are very happy for this donation which is going to the states mostly the hard to reach areas,’’ he said, as he added that partnerships would enable the country reach far-flung areas that may suffer silently.

He added that there was need to strengthen the capacity of the health facilities to respond, identify cases and report to the national level for assistance.

East African Regional Development and Business Delivery Office Benedict Sorie Kanu and the country Manager for South Sudan handed over the items procured by the Bank to the country director of CARE.

The items included Facemasks, disposable examination, latex, and non-sterile gloves and hand sanitizers.

“I am confident that, the use of these items that I am handing over today will help the government’s efforts to prevent human to human transmission of the COVID-19 virus, facilitate hygiene promotion and support improving overall sanitation and hygiene management,” Kanu said.

He further said that these items would help save many lives in the country.

“I would like to reconfirm the AfDB’s commitment to continue to support the government and the people of South Sudan to combat the spread of the coronavirus and its socio-economic impact,” he promised.