Morocco sends 9 tons of medical aid to support Ebola response in DR Congo

Morocco has delivered more than nine tons of medical supplies and equipment to support the UN peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO) in responding to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Ituri province, the mission announced on Wednesday.

The shipment arrived on June 22 aboard a Royal Moroccan Air Force C-130H aircraft and includes medicines, pharmaceutical products, personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as laboratory, diagnostic, disinfection and patient-monitoring equipment.

The supplies are intended for MONUSCO's civilian and military personnel and will strengthen the Level II Hospital operated by the Moroccan contingent, enhancing prevention, treatment and protection measures to allow peacekeepers to continue carrying out their mission.

MONUSCO North Sector Commander Major General Saiful Alam Bhuiyan said the donation would help troops continue protecting civilians despite operating at the epicenter of the Ebola outbreak.

A second Moroccan airlift is expected in the coming days to deliver additional supplies and deploy a specialized Moroccan medical team as part of an air bridge established between Morocco and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Congolese Civil Protection official René Ngamba welcomed the initiative, thanking Morocco and MONUSCO for supporting the country's response through medical supplies, logistics and assistance to affected communities.