Today 20 November, the Estonian Red Cross transferred €50 000 to the Czech Red Cross to help the Czech Republic manage the extraordinary impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. The decision to allocate the funds was made by the Government of Estonia on 5 November.
Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu said it was crucial to show solidarity with allies in a difficult crisis and offer emergency support in mitigation efforts. “The Czech Republic made a call for assistance through the European Union as well as NATO, and the Estonian government decided to respond. In late October, I also spoke with the Czech Foreign Minister Tomáš Petříček and assured him Estonia was ready to offer a helping hand,” Reinsalu said.
According to the data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the COVID-19 infection and death rate in the Czech Republic has been among the highest in Europe in recent weeks (as of 17 November, the 14-day infection rate per 100 000 inhabitants stood at 1076.3, while the number of deaths was 25.9).
The headquarters of the Czech Red Cross is cooperating closely with the Ministry of Health and the Integrated Rescue System of the Czech Republic to actively fight COVID-19. They are offering counselling services, training volunteers, providing information, offering food and medical assistance to vulnerable social groups and helping people who are stranded on the border due to COVID-19 testing. Additionally, local associations are providing transport services to the elderly, distributing personal protective equipment, helping with testing, assisting families with home-schooled children, and cooperating with hospitals and institutions that provide social and medical services.
Additional information:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
Communication Department
[email protected]
