Humanitarian cooperation

Belarus sends humanitarian aid to Sudan to help flood victims

Photo courtesy of the Emergencies Ministry of Belarus

MINSK, 21 November (BelTA) – Belarus has sent a humanitarian cargo to Sudan as it is struggling with the devastating aftermath of floods, BelTA learned from the Emergencies Ministry of Belarus.

On behalf of the head of state and in pursuance of the decision of the Council of Ministers the Emergencies Ministry collected and sent humanitarian aid to the Republic of the Sudan. The Emergencies Ministry was assisted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Grodno Oblast Executive Committee and the Belarusian light industry concern Bellegprom.

The Emergencies Ministry noted that the efforts to help Sudan overcome the consequences of the devastating floods were discussed at a meeting between Emergencies Minister Vadim Sinyavsky and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Sudan to the Republic of Belarus Mohammed Omer Musa Ali on 10 November. During the meeting, the parties compiled the list of items that the people of Sudan need the most at the moment. It was agreed that Belarus will hand over to the Government of Sudan gas pumping units, a diesel generator, canned meat, condensed whole
milk with sugar, wheat flour, blankets and medicines. The cargo is worth about Br1 million and weighs about 40 tonnes.

On 21 November, the IL-76 aircraft with humanitarian cargo flew from Minsk to Khartoum, with Belarusian rescuers on board. The plane will refuel in the Turkish city of Adana. A group of employees of the Emergencies Ministry, who accompany the humanitarian cargo, is headed by First Deputy Emergencies Minister Aleksandr Khudoleyev.

This is the first time Belarus provides humanitarian assistance to Sudan, the Emergencies Ministry said. Since 1999, Belarus has organized 76 humanitarian missions to 32 countries. Belarus has built an effective emergency humanitarian response system, which is confirmed by many factors. For example, the Emergencies Ministry successfully operates a national special purpose unit ZUBR, certified according to UN standards as an international heavy-class search and rescue squad. The aviation of the Emergencies Ministry has repeatedly proved its worth in the fight against wildfires and delivered humanitarian cargo and personnel. It should also be noted tat Belarus produces food, medicines, fire rescue, repair and restoration equipment and other goods and equipment that are widely used in humanitarian activities. Belarusian national legislation allows for prompt decision-making and the most effective provision of humanitarian assistance.

The Emergences Ministry noted that the Belarusian pilots who worked in Turkey to extinguish wildfires are coming back to Belarus. Two Mi-8 helicopters are to return on 21 November. The Emergencies Ministry is organizing an official welcome for the pilots.

print version

make home page

add to bookmarks