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US donates PPE to Bangladesh fire service


Published : 11 May 2020 09:44 PM | Updated : 07 Sep 2020 10:59 AM

The US government has distributed the COVID-19 personal protective equipment to the Fire Service and Civil Defense (FSCD) first responders in Bangladesh. 

Ambassador Earl Miller and representatives of the US military’s Indo-Pacific Command handed over essential PPE to FSCD Director of Training, Planning, and Development LTC Zulfiker Rahman and Assistant Director Mohammed Abdul Momen on Monday.

 The equipment donated Monday includes 1,000 KN95 surgical masks, 800 pieces of 200-milliliter bottles of hand sanitizer, 500 pairs of surgical gloves, 300 hazardous materials (HAZMAT) suits, 100 protective masks, and 50 medical goggles, all of which were sourced locally from Bangladeshi companies. 

To date, the US government has provided over $22 million to complement the government of Bangladesh’s ongoing efforts to prepare and respond to the spread of COVID-19 to improve rapid diagnosis, increase knowledge and dispel myths and misconceptions about the disease, and support heroic frontline, including FSCD first responders, who risk their lives daily to protect everyone in Bangladesh.  

The Bangladesh Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) will distribute the PPE equipment to FSCD first responders working to protect local communities against the spread of COVID-19. 

The PPE will enable FSCD first responders to respond quickly and safely to individuals who may be displaying COVID-19symptoms. 

The US Embassy Dhaka continues working in close partnership with the government of Bangladesh on a range of programs to identify and alleviate critical medical shortages across the country, including on the distribution of PPE and other medical supplies to Bangladesh first responders and designated COVID-19 medical treatment facilities. 

Monday’s delivery of US funded, locally produced PPE is one of many US Embassy Dhaka initiatives that demonstrates the US government’s continuing commitment to the Bangladeshi people, to promoting mutual understanding between the two countries, to and a strong partnership helping to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region. 

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the U.S. government has committed more than $900 million worldwide in emergency health, humanitarian, economic, and development assistance specifically aimed at helping governments, international organizations, and NGOs fight the pandemic.  

This funding will save lives by improving public health education, protecting healthcare facilities, and increasing laboratory, disease-surveillance, and rapid-response capacity in more than 120 countries.  

In Bangladesh, the $22 million in funding builds on more than $1 billion in health assistance provided to Bangladesh over the past 20 years and underscores the long-term U.S. commitment to ensuring access to quality, lifesaving health services for all people in Bangladesh. 

U.S. Embassy Dhaka is proud to donate this essential personal protective equipment (PPE) to Fire Service and Civil Defense (FSCD) first responders working to protect local communities against the spread of COVID-19. 

 FSCD first responders are critical front-line workers confronting this crisis.

 They, together with health care workers, police, journalists and photojournalists, people who work in grocery stores and pharmacies and other businesses, and in non-governmental and community organizations, perform remarkable acts of service every day. 

 As Ambassador Miller has said, “You are all genuine heroes … You deserve our immense gratitude.”