Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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313. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding providing medical aid to Nepal which is currently experiencing a severe crisis due to the Covid-19 pandemic. [28052/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am acutely aware that Nepal, like other countries in South Asia, is severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, and this is exacerbated by shortages of medical equipment.

The Government of Nepal made a request for emergency assistance to the EU through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism on 7 May and Ireland, along with its EU partners, is considering its response. Nepal has requested specific quantities of certain medical equipment and supplies, including PPE and respiratory support equipment.

I am hopeful that Ireland will be in a position to offer assistance and provide some relief to those suffering from Covid-19 in Nepal and to its front-line health workers. We expect to be in a position to confirm Ireland’s response in the coming days as soon as officials have concluded their assessment of the available equipment and supplies in relation to request from Nepal.