IRBIL: The State of Kuwait delivered $1 million worth of medical equipment and drugs to Iraq's Kurdistan to help the region face the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), a Kuwaiti diplomat said yesterday. General Consul of Kuwait in Irbil Dr Omar Al-Kanderi revealed that his country was coordinating with the World Health Organization (WHO) to deliver Kuwait's contribution as part of the 'Kuwait by your side' campaign.

The diplomat affirmed that the State of Kuwait was keen on providing all sort of assistances to Iraq including assistance in the medical field. Meanwhile, WHO Representative in Iraq Dr Ahmad Zouiten commended the Kuwaiti contributions to Iraq, which was reflective of the strong relations linking the two countries. He indicated that the current upward spread of COVID-19 infections required solidarity and cooperation to rid the world of the current pandemic status.

Similarly, Iraq Kurdistan's Health Minister Dr Saman Barzanji lauded Kuwait's support of Kurdistan's efforts in the fight against COVID-19, affirming that the region will better handle the situation thanks to the Kuwaiti contribution. Last year, Kuwait donated $10 million to help Iraq handle the spread of the coronavirus. - KUNA