Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi ordered the dispatch of four military planes loaded with medical supplies and medicines to Sudan to help it fight the coronavirus, Presidential Spokesman Bassam Rady said on Monday. 

The shipment, which comprises “large quantities” of drugs and medical supplies, is intended to “help alleviate the burden of the Sudanese people in light of the shortage of medicines and protective gear necessary to confront the coronavirus” in the country, according to a video statement published by Rady.

The supplies are also meant to help the government of Sudan curb the risk of virus transmission and limit the number of its infections and fatalities from the highly contagious disease, it added.

The move underscores the strong ties between Egypt and its southern neighbour and reflects Egypt’s full support for all African countries during times of crises, it added.

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, Egypt has sent several shipments of supplies and medical aid to some of the world’s worst-stricken countries, including China, Italy and the US.

The pandemic has infected 678 people and claimed 41 lives in Sudan.