Team Europe Enhances AU’s COVID-19 Response with German Support

On September 1, 2020, Germany donated 500,000 COVID-19 test kits to the Africa CDC, part of a 10 million Euro initiative to support the African Union in fighting the pandemic. This delivery represents a broader Team Europe response, highlighting the importance of international collaboration in health crises.

On September 1, 2020, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) received 500,000 COVID-19 test kits from the German Government, marking a significant contribution to the African Union’s (AU) response to the pandemic. This delivery was facilitated by the EU’s Humanitarian Air Bridge, forming part of a broader 10 million Euro initiative aimed at supporting AU Member States during the ongoing health crisis. In total, nearly 1.4 million test kits will be distributed as part of this initiative. German Development Cooperation Minister Gerd Müller emphasized that a unified global effort is essential to combat the coronavirus, stating, “We will either beat the coronavirus together worldwide – or not at all.” He highlighted that the support will aid the Africa CDC in procuring vital testing equipment and training healthcare workers across the continent. In addition, Janez Lenarčič, EU Commissioner for Crisis Management, noted the importance of collective action, stating, “It is in our common interest to tackle the pandemic worldwide.” This shipment is part of Team Europe’s ongoing support for Africa, which has included a 10 million Euro investment in the Africa Joint Continental Strategy for Coronavirus Outbreak, aimed at enhancing public health infrastructure and deploying healthcare professionals for effective pandemic management. Africa CDC’s Director, Dr. John Nkengasong, reiterated the significance of partnerships in fighting COVID-19, asserting that collaboration is key to unlocking supply chains for essential medical supplies in the AU Member States. The German Epidemic Preparedness Team (SEEG), established in response to the Ebola crisis, played a crucial role in sourcing these test kits and will collaborate on ensuring quality standards in African laboratories.

The support from Germany and the EU reflects a global commitment to combating COVID-19 through international collaboration. The Africa CDC leads the coordination of pandemic responses for AU Member States, focusing on procurement and capacity building in health systems. The German Epidemic Preparedness Team, formed in response to previous health crises, underlines a sustained effort to bolster Africa’s healthcare responses.

The partnership between Germany, the European Union, and the African Union exemplifies a collaborative global response to COVID-19, with significant resources allocated to enhance testing capacity and health infrastructure in Africa. This initiative not only aims to provide immediate support for the pandemic but also strengthens long-term healthcare resilience.

Original Source: africacdc.org