With the help of the Japanese Government, UNICEF provides the health workers with 367,580 sets of personal protective equipment

Pristina, 24 August 2020 – While the battle against COVID-19 is still ongoing, UNICEF Office in Kosovo in cooperation with partners is making continuous efforts to support the medical staff who are on the frontline of the pandemic throughout their work.

As part of a joint effort to combat the spread of the coronavirus, UNICEF, with the support of the Government of Japan, today donated 367,580 sets of personal protective equipment (PPE) to the Ministry of Health. 10% of this equipment will be distributed to Family Medicine Centres in Mitrovica and Gracanica.

During the donation ceremony, the Chargée d'affaires of Japan to Kosovo, Mr. Ogasawara Mitsunori said: "These supplies come at a critical time to support joint efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19."

UNICEF will continue to support preventive action in communities in order to protect the health of children and their parents and custodians in full coordination with the Ministry of Health and donor support.

The Minister of Health, Mr. Armend Zemaj thanked the Government of Japan and the Japanese people for the support given to Kosovo.

In the coming days, in consultation with the Ministry of Health and the WHO, UNICEF will provide additional personal protective equipment (PPE) to health workers on the frontline.

UNICEF appeals for three simple measures to be taken in order to reduce the chances of infection or the spread of COVID-19:

•  Wear a mask in public spaces.
•  Keep a distance of at least 1.5 meters between you and others.
•  Wash your hands thoroughly and regularly with soap and water