UNDP, in cooperation with the EU, has organized the arrival of 15 cargo aircrafts with more than 720 tons of urgently needed medical and protective supplies in the period 26 March - 3 May. The shipments delivered by these planes included respirators, protective masks and suits, medical gloves, COVID-19 tests, laboratory equipment and other scarce supplies. The flights were financed using funds from an overall package worth 93 million euros, which was the amount that the European Union announced as financial assistance to Serbia to help the country fight the COVID-19 virus epidemic.
While welcoming first arriving airplane’s crew at the Airport “Nikola Tesla”, Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said: ‘If I may say there is a message we are sending, it is a message of solidarity and unity. This is a beautiful example how the world becomes on in hard times. This unity will help us preserve lives of the citizens of Serbia’.
On the arrival of the tenth cargo plane Head of Delegation of the EU, H.E. Ambassador Sem Fabrizi pointed out: ‘Virus knows no boundaries and we are all faced with the same challenge and together we must fight this common enemy. When the virus was at its peak in Asia, the European Union delivered 56 tons of supplies and medical equipment to China in order to save lives and help their health system. EU also sent planes to bring back European and Serbian citizens which were in Wuhan and other affected regions during the crisis in China. At present, when the virus has reached Europe, the EU improved its response mechanism. As we mourn the deaths of thousands EU citizens, we are determined to stand with Serbia and its citizens in full and concrete solidarity, responding to current and long-term needs. We have hard times ahead of us. We need support and solidarity. Together we will win this struggle.’
Given the global crisis, organising transportation is much more than merely hiring cargo planes and securing flight permits. The UNDP Office in Serbia has received great support from the global UNDP network, which has representative offices in 170 states and territories.
Francine Pickup, the Resident UNDP representative in Serbia welcomed tenth airplane with aid and she has pointed out: “Each aircraft that brings in the necessary medical equipment represents a victory in the fight against COVID-19. The current circumstances, in which these supplies are the most sought-after commodity in the whole world, require very quick reactions. Due to intense pressure on suppliers, it happens that the equipment we transport does not reach the warehouse or airport terminal within the agreed deadline. This means that the flight must be delayed and that the flight route must be changed, which may entail the issuance of new permits. That is why continuous communication and coordination with the relevant authorities, including the Cabinets of the President and the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the embassies of the countries from which the goods are being delivered is of decisive importance. We are grateful for the trust placed in us by the Government of Serbia, manifested by engaging our services for this important task, and for our partnership with the EU and their funding, which has enabled us to transport the medical equipment necessary to save lives in record time”, added Pickup.
