US delivers more COVID-19 vaccines to Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - In a bid to effectively fight the coronavirus pandemic, the United States has yet again donated more vaccines to Somalia, a country which has been hit hard by the virus, which left thousands of people dead across the world.

The US embassy in Mogadishu said 336,500 doses were delivered at the Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu, adding that it was delivered by the US in partnership with the United Nations and the African Union.

The latest delivery brings to the total of Johnson and Johnson does delivered to Somalia to 638,900. This, the embassy noted, is the largest single donation to a single country ever since the COVID-19 pandemic struck.

"We welcome the delivery of an additional 336,500 doses of the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, donated to Somalia by the United States via Gavi in partnership with UNICEF, the African union, and COVAX. Our donations are part of our strong commitment to Somalia," it said.

"This brings the total number of Johnson and Johnson vaccine doses donated by the United States to Somalia to 638,900, the largest provided by a single country. Together we can save lives and bring an end to COVID19."

Somalia has been struggling to contain the virus and has largely depended on well-wishers to effectively handle the pandemic. Banadir region, Puntland, and Jubaland were the most hit, but the country emphasized basic prevention measures.

A report published recently indicated that the number of deaths from Covid-19 could be almost triple the official figures released by the federal government of Somalia. The report noted that many people died but were not counted.

Somalia has a dilapidated healthcare system and efforts to improve the infrastructure are still going on. The country has been struggling with instability since the ouster of Siad Barre, a military ruler who ruled the country for almost three decades.

GAROWE ONLINE