Egypt sent medical aid to Italy as per the order of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to the military amid the European country’s battle with the coronavirus pandemic.

Egyptian Presidency Spokesman Bassam Rady said El-Sisi ordered that the military prepare and send two military jets to Italy to provide medical aid, including medical supplies, protective suits and disinfectants.

“This comes in line with the historical ties between the two friendly countries, contributing in easing the burden on Italy in its current plight. especially amid a severe shortage in medical supplies, medications and others as death and infections continue to rise,” Rady said.

Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio posted a live video on Facebook showing the arrival of Egypt’s medical aid and his reception of Egyptian health minister Hala Zayed.

The move comes one day after El-Sisi expressed in a phone call with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte his “full readiness” to support Italy amid the outbreak.

Rady said the president called Conte to express readiness to provide support, especially through an exchange of experience and coordination between healthcare officials in the two countries.

The pandemic has claimed close to 14,000 lives in locked-down Italy, with the country confirming over 115,000 detected cases since the beginning of the outbreak.

Egypt's Health Minister Hala Zayed and Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio following the arrival of Egypt’s medical aid at an Italian airport

Egypt sends medical aid to Italy amid battle with coronavirus pandemic