UK extends over £30 m to back Middle East against COVID-19

23 / 05 / 2020

By Marwa Nassar - -

The UK has earmarked more than £30 million for supporting the Middle East region in the face of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic over the past few months.

The UK contributed to life-saving programs across the region, providing essential medical equipment to treat critical care patients and train frontline medics. This is on top of the UK’s funding to the many international agencies and charities providing direct support in this part of the world.

It will also tackle the wider impact of the virus and make sure people have safe access to water and sanitation, children can continue to receive an education and vulnerable families can buy essentials such as food and medicines.

The United Kingdom is working together with countries across the Middle East region to tackle coronavirus and protect the most vulnerable, UK Minister for the Middle East James Cleverly said today as Muslims around the world celebrate Eid al Fitr.

He called, at this time of celebration and reflection, to consider “how we have come together to address the unprecedented global challenge of responding to coronavirus, and continue to work side-by-side.”

Cleverly said “This has been one of the most challenging months of Ramadan the world has ever seen. I wish the Muslim community around the world Eid Mubarak. I am proud UK aid will provide life-saving support to people most in need across the Middle East and beyond.”

“I am also grateful for the cooperation to-date with Gulf leaders to combat the coronavirus, making generous donations, responding to global appeals, and funding vaccine research. Working side by side is the only way to stop this virus. No one is safe until we are all safe.”

“Our strong partnership with our allies allows us to share expertise and resources to better tackle this pandemic so together we can stop its spread and help stop future waves of infection.”

To support the most vulnerable communities in the region in this crisis, UK aid in recent months includes £24 million to help people in Syria and £11.1 million the UK allocated earlier this month to help Iraq, Lebanon and the Occupied Palestinian Territories to tackle the virus. If coronavirus is left to spread in developing countries, this could increase and prolong the spread of the virus globally.

At the Yemen pledging conference on 2 June, 2020, the UK is also expected to make a commitment. The ‘High-level Pledging Event for the Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen’ will help to feed millions of Yemenis and reduce the impact of coronavirus.