Switzerland is helping Thailand to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Swiss Humanitarian Aid dispatched 100 respirators and more than a million antigen tests to Bangkok. The provision of this aid coincides with a tour of Southeast Asia by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis that will include a visit to Thailand.
In view of the worrying public health situation in Thailand, Swiss Humanitarian Aid has decided to support the country in its efforts to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Swiss cargo aircraft carrying more than 26 tonnes of medical supplies left Zurich for Bangkok. The supplies were provided from the inventory of the Swiss Armed Forces Pharmacy and the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH). The shipment includes around nine million Swiss francs worth of equipment, with the Swiss Armed Forces Pharmacy supplying 100 respirators and the FOPH providing more than a million antigen tests.
The medical equipment will be received in Bangkok by the Thai authorities. The Swiss embassy in Thailand is in close contact with the authorities to ensure that items are distributed fairly based on need, in accordance with humanitarian principles.
This shipment by Swiss Humanitarian Aid, which is part of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), coincides with Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis’s tour of Southeast Asia from 1 to 6 August, which includes a visit to Thailand. Mr. Cassis will attend the official handover ceremony for the supplies, which is scheduled to take place on 2 August in Bangkok.
