After almost 40 days of total lockdown and several consecutive days of zero new COVID-19 cases, Lebanon was beginning to relax. The nation had so far managed to avoid the worst projected outcomes. Shops reopened. Every day, fewer people were wearing their protective masks or strictly abiding by physical distancing guidelines. The influx of returning Lebanese diaspora from all over the world continued.
And then the country experienced a spike of new coronavirus cases, provoking another wave of uncertainty and fear. The government declared a temporary return to total lockdown. All businesses except for health centers, pharmacies and supermarkets again shut down.
Americares responded with a shipment of medical supplies and protective equipment to its partner American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA), to support health workers attempting to control the outbreak. Included in this shipment were gowns and shoe covers, generously donated by Welmed.
Americares and ANERA partnered with the Lebanese Red Cross to strategically deliver the supplies to ambulance centers across the country where they were needed most. The Lebanese Red Cross are primary first responders, providing ambulance services for all confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients in Lebanon, and the main provider of ambulance services in the country.
Faced with cases of local transmission of the virus and increasing risk, since mid-March the Lebanese Red Cross began equipping its entire fleet of ambulances with personal protective equipment, including masks, gloves, gowns and face shields. These measures, while essential to protect both health workers and patients, quickly depleted the organization's contingency stock of protective equipment.
Given the urgent need, ANERA worked rapidly to distribute Americares shipment containing supplies and protective equipment from Welmed and other donors. Customs clearance, a process that typically takes weeks, was accomplished in only three days. Soon after, the Lebanese Red Cross’ stock was replenished, providing critical infection prevention measures to its health workers and the communities they serve.
Americares thanks Welmed for its generous donation and support of health workers and patients battling COVID-19 across the globe. Together we are saving lives and improving health for people affected by poverty and disaster so they can reach their full potential.
Product: Units:
GOWN, ISO YELLOW THUMB LOOP, UNIVERSAL 2,800
SHOE COVERS, HEAVY DUTY, ANIT-SKID, UNIVERSAL 2,700
TOTAL: 5,500
Original Press Release July 2022
Photo courtesy of: ANERA ANERA staff distributing protective equipment, provided by Welmed and other donors.