The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) donated essential personal protective equipment and medical supplies to the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC) to support it in the fight against the coronavirus, the international humanitarian organisation said on Wednesday.

The aid, worth more than EGP 1 million, is planned for health facilities in North Sinai, the ICRC statement quoted Egypt's social solidarity minister Nevine El-Kabbag, who is also vice chairman of the ERC, as saying.

The ICRC, in cooperation with the ERC, has carried out four assistance distributions to thousands of households in North Sinai to alleviate the impact of events in the area on the residents, the statement said.

“We would like to thank the ICRC for this important donation, which comes in light of our fruitful partnership and that will help the ERC’s efforts in these challenging times,” said Executive Director of the ERC Ramy El-Nazer following a signing ceremony to mark the event at the ERC headquarters in Cairo.

The ICRC and ERC are part of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement which works on alleviating human suffering, especially during emergencies.

“Since the outbreak of the coronavirus in Egypt, the ICRC has been in close contact with the ERC to provide support, advice and training to staff and volunteers in light of the ERC’s important role in the national response to COVID-19,” said Ronald Ofteringer, head of the ICRC delegation in Cairo.

Egypt has adopted a set of measures since March to contain the spread of the virus, including a night-time curfew, suspending classes at schools and universities, shutting mosques and churches, and halting international flights.

Despite the restrictions, Egypt’s infection rate has continued to rise, surpassing 13,000 confirmed cases on Tuesday, almost three months after the first case was confirmed on 14 February.

The ICRC has been operating in the country for over 100 years to provide humanitarian assistance to people in need. 

Head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in Cairo Ronald Ofteringer, centre, and Ramy El-Nazer, Executive Director of the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC), left, after receiving the protective equipment and medical supplies