WITH THE EU

Finland sends aid to help Nepal fight Covid-19 epidemic

Men wearing personal protective suits carry the body of a Covid-19 victim for cremation on the bank of Bagmati River in Kathmandu. Photo: Dipen Shrestha/dpa.

Nepal is one of Finland's long-term development cooperation partner countries.

According to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Finland is preparing to send material assistance to Nepal through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism to help tackle the coronavirus crisis.

The material assistance will include face masks, protective visors, protective gloves and medical gowns, the Finnish government detailed in a press release.

The Nepalese authorities have requested aid from the EU countries due to the rapidly deteriorating COVID-19 situation.

Nepal is one of Finland's long-term development cooperation partner countries.

The material assistance will be delivered through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism as part of the European Union’s joint assistance mission.

The European Commission is coordinating the pooling of assistance and supports Member States in the arrangement of logistics and in transport costs.

The main part of the material assistance will be provided through the state emergency stockpiling maintained by the National Emergency Supply Agency.

Material assistance has also been donated by Medifon Oy, Logonet Oy Ltd, Mediwear Ltd and Röntgentekno Oy with their cooperation partner Fiberone Oy.