Swiss send aid to Covid-hit Thailand ahead of minister’s visit
Thailand is facing its worst wave yet of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
Switzerland has sent around CHF9 million ($9.8 million) worth of anti-Covid-19 equipment to Thailand, which is facing its worst wave yet of the pandemic.
This content was published on
1 minute
Keystone-SDA/jc
The aid includes around 100 respirators and more than one million antigen tests, according to the Swiss foreign ministryExternal link. A cargo plane left Zurich airport on Wednesday bound for Bangkok, with 26 tonnes of medical supplies from the stocks of the army pharmacy and the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH).
The shipment by Swiss Humanitarian Aid will be received by the Thai authorities, said the ministry, adding that “the Swiss embassy in Thailand is in close contact with the authorities to ensure that items are distributed fairly based on need, in accordance with humanitarian principles”.
It said foreign minister Ignazio Cassis will be in Thailand at the same time, as part of an official tour of southeast Asia, and would take part in a ceremony on August 2 to hand over the equipment. Cassis is visiting southeast Asia from August 1 to 6.
This is the seventh delivery since May of Swiss humanitarian aid abroad to fight Covid-19. Switzerland has also sent aid to Indonesia, Tunisia, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Nepal and India.
More
More
Swiss send aid to Covid-hit Nepal
This content was published on
Switzerland is sending 30 tonnes of humanitarian supplies to Nepal, which is struggling to cope with a Covid-19 health crisis.
Swiss price watchdog slams excessive prices for generic medicines
This content was published on
The cheapest generic medicines available in Switzerland are more than twice as expensive as in other countries, according to a study by the Swiss price watchdog.
Nature should not figure in net zero calculations: academic study
This content was published on
The natural removal of CO2 from the atmosphere by forests or oceans should not be included in the net-zero balance of climate protection measures, argue researchers.
This content was published on
None of the 15 major Swiss retail banks is meeting international climate and biodiversity targets, according to a ranking by WWF Switzerland.
This content was published on
Nestlé's new CEO Laurent Freixe, has presented plans for the future of the world's largest food company, after his first few weeks in office.
Swiss foreign minister calls on Moscow to end Ukraine war
This content was published on
It's high time Moscow ended its war against Ukraine, Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis tells the UN Security Council.
This content was published on
The only alternative to the UN Palestinian agency’s work in Gaza is to allow Israel to run services there, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, told reporters in Geneva on Monday.
Study reveals food culture differences between Switzerland and neighbours
This content was published on
Three-quarters of Swiss people consider eating to be a pleasurable, social activity, a new survey reveals. Healthy eating, however, plays a much less important role, it found.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Top health official defends Swiss record on fair vaccine access
This content was published on
Top Swiss health official Virginie Masserey has defended Switzerland's vaccine policy against suggestions it is being too selfish.
Swiss living in Covid-19 hotspots unable to get Covid vaccine
This content was published on
The head of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad has called on the government to ensure that expatriate Swiss citizens get access to Covid vaccines.
This content was published on
In 1960 and 1961, Thailand’s new king lived with his parents and sisters in Switzerland, on the shores of Lake Geneva, as old photos show.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.