On 29 March the Republic of Moldova received 100,000 face masks (FFP2) from NATO’s Pandemic Response Trust Fund. The donation was coordinated by NATO’s Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC) in response to Moldova’s request for international assistance. It was made possible with financial contributions by Luxembourg and Norway. The transportation from Luxembourg to the Republic of Moldova was made possible through the in-kind offer from Romania and carried out by the Romanian Air Force. The transportation was coordinated by the Standing Joint Logistics Support Group at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE).
The protective equipment will benefit medical staff and patients in the Municipal Clinical Hospital for Children “Valentin Ignatenco”, in Chisinau, as well as other medical institutions throughout the Republic of Moldova. The donation was handed over to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Moldova. On the occasion, the President of the Republic of Moldova, Ms. Maia Sandu, met with H.E. Mr. Kęstutis Kudzmanas, Ambassador of NATO’s Contact Point Embassy (Embassy of Lithuania), and H.E. Mr. Daniel Ioniță, Ambassador of Romania to the Republic of Moldova, thanking them for the contribution in support of their fight against the pandemic.
This support complements the initial delivery of 25,000 disposable suits for biological protection (Tyvek 600+) that were delivered in February, in the framework of the NATO COVID-19 assistance package Allies have agreed to provide to the Republic of Moldova. The purchase and transportation of the medical items was coordinated by NATO’s Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA).This assistance is part of the eight NATO COVID-19 assistance packages for NATO partners and five assistance packages for Allies. Nineteen Allies have made financial and in-kind donations of medical equipment and supplies to the Pandemic Response Trust Fund.
The Republic of Moldova is a close partner to NATO. At Moldova’s request, NATO and Moldova cooperate on a range of issues, including the country’s defence reform and modernisation efforts. Moldova is also a valued contributor to the NATO-led peacekeeping force in Kosovo. NATO’s cooperation with the Republic of Moldova is in full respect of the country’s constitutional neutrality, and with full support for its territorial integrity and sovereignty.