Romania’s call for help in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic was sent via CECIS (the Common Emergency Communication and Information System). The Polish government responded immediately, offering its assistance. The oxygen concentrators were handed over by the Government Agency for Strategic Reserves (Rządowa Agencja Rezerw Strategicznych).

Over the last two days Romania reported 15,000 coronavirus infections per day, which is a record level of new cases since the beginning of the pandemic. Relative to the population of our country and of Romania, this level of infections would correspond to 30,000 new cases in Poland. Romania has also reported a record number of deaths over the last 24 hours, and according to local media there is a shortage of hospital beds.

For months, Poland has been committed to helping fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe and throughout the world. Bearing in mind our strategic partnership and close cooperation with Romania, particularly in security, Poland instantly decided to donate help.

Over the last year or so, acting in the spirit of international solidarity, Poland has responded to international needs in the fight against the pandemic. We have handed over medical equipment, medicines, and personal protective equipment to many countries all over the world. Polish aid has reached the citizens of, among others, Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, India, Iraq, and Iraqi Kurdistan, as well as the Western Balkan countries. Polish doctors were directly involved in assisting COVID-19 patients abroad, including in Italy, Kirgizstan, and the US. In recent months Poland has also donated COVID-19 vaccines to Egypt, Vietnam, Taiwan, Kenya, Ukraine, Australia, Norway, and Kirgizstan.

 

MFA Press Office