The current wave of coronavirus infections and fatalities in Latvia is the largest one since the onset of the pandemic. The daily average of new infections is hovering around 2,000 cases, which – taking  into consideration the country’s population (approximately 1.9 million people) – indicates a very high level. As a result of this surge in infections, many patients in need of medical assistance have been admitted to hospitals. This has placed a heavy burden on the health service, which is why Latvia solicited assistance via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Bearing in mind the strategic partnership and close neighbourly cooperation between our two countries, Poland acceded to this request.

The humanitarian transport to Latvia is not the first time Poland has provided help to a European country struggling with the effects of the pandemic. In recent weeks we have sent similar material aid to Romania. In previous weeks and months, Poland handed over medical equipment, medicines, and personal protective equipment to many countries all over the world, including to people in Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, India, Iraq, and Iraqi Kurdistan, as well as the Western Balkan countries.

Poland has also provided assistance in the form of Covid-19 vaccines, donating them, among others, to Egypt, Vietnam, Taiwan, Kenya, Ukraine, Australia, Norway, and Kirgizstan.

Poland’s solidarity with other countries in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic and effective assistance measures have been possible thanks to the involvement of, among others, the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, the Government Agency for Strategic Reserves, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of the Interior and Administration, the State Fire Service, the Polish LOT Airlines, the Polish Post, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Polish diplomatic and consular missions around the world, as well as many other institutions.

 

MFA Press Office