Friday, as part of the European Union emergency envelope of 15 million euros, a humanitarian flight from the Directorate General for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations of the European Commission (ECHO) is arrival at Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince.

The cargo plane carried 72 tonnes of medical equipment, emergency equipment and personal protective equipment, donations from several organizations and entities, including the Ministry of Europe's Crisis and Support Center (CDC) and of Foreign Affairs in France, Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) and other NGOs

Fully funded by the EU, this is the second humanitarian flight to Haiti. It is part of the air bridges currently organized between the Union and several critical areas around the world. It was organized thanks to the joint efforts of France, the EU and the Haitian authorities.

Crisis Management Commissioner Janez Lenarčič said in this regard "[...] With this airlift, the EU is providing vital aid, notably in the areas of medical equipment, water supply and sanitation equipment, to help Haitians. The EU is ready to provide additional humanitarian aid to Haiti."

While it is true that any help is appreciable and appreciated, this donation of 72 tonnes cannot help but ask certain questions. According to European officials Haiti in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic is one of the critical countries whereas, if the Ministry of Public Health's figures are to be believed (27 new cases in 24 hours) Haiti in its last report https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-31308-haiti-flash-only-27-new-cases-in-24-hours.html ) and hardly more than 3,000 active cases nationwide, the Covid seems rather marginal and does not require such substantial medical aid for so few cases.

Note that in addition to France, India has also sent 4 tonnes of medical equipment and medicines https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-31290-haiti-news-zapping.html and Taiwan (Republic of China) has also his share https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-31166-icihaiti-covid-19-important-donation-of-materials-and-medicines-from-taiwan.html ...

Unless the modest figures of confirmed cases of Covid-19 published by the Ministry of Public Health do not exactly reflect the reality of the contagions in the country ...

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-31308-haiti-flash-only-27-new-cases-in-24-hours.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-31290-haiti-news-zapping.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-31166-icihaiti-covid-19-important-donation-of-materials-and-medicines-from-taiwan.html

HL/ S/ HaitiLibre