Egypt said it sent medical aid to South Sudan as per presidential orders to the military to help in the country’s battle against the coronavirus pandemic, a statement by the Armed Forces read.

Armed Forces spokesman Tamer El-Refaie said the military has prepped and dispatched a military jet as per orders by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to provide support to South Sudan amid consecutive crises faced by the country. 

The medical aid includes medicines, medical equipment, disinfectants, protective suits for medical staff and large quantities of formula milk.

“This aid is an affirmation of Egypt’s leading role in Africa and a solidifying of cooperative relations and historical ties connecting Egypt with the continent,” the statement read.

So far, South Sudan has detected 347 cases of coronavirus and six deaths from the contagion.

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, 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.