By Thomas Dixon
FREETOWN, Nov. 10 (SALONE TIMES) – Lungi International Airport, Port Loko district, Tuesday 9 November 2021 – Sierra Leone’s Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr Austin Demby has commended the Government and People of the United Arab Emirates for donating fifteen (15) tons of assorted medical supplies to assist victims of last week’s fire disaster in Freetown.
Receiving the items at the Lungi International Airport, Dr. Demby said that they were pleased with the timely response from the UAE in supporting Sierra Leone during a time of need. He said that the moment was a hard one for Sierra Leoneans particularly the affected families and therefore encouraged everyone to join the national effort to provide care and comfort for both the victims and the families of the deceased.
He mentioned that since the incident, the Government had been able to deploy all of its local resources and commended medical doctors and all frontline workers involved in the response. The Health Minister also lauded Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the UAE, Rashid Sesay for promptly engaging the UAE authorities, while describing him as a strong advocate for Sierra Leone in the UAE. He assured that the Government would do all its best to ensure that survivors recover fully.
Chief of Corporate Services at the National Disaster Management Agency, Kai Banya, noted that his institution was happy for the assistance from the UAE, saying that would form part of their recovery programme.
Sierra Leone and the UAE enjoy longstanding bilateral relations and this has been accelerated by the Government of President Julius Maada Bio.
