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.
Should Switzerland take measures to support its struggling industries?
Industrial policies are back in fashion, not only in the United States but also in the EU. Should Switzerland, where various industries are struggling, draw inspiration from such policies?
Switzerland increasingly a target for people smuggling and trafficking
This content was published on
Switzerland is increasingly being targeted by organized crime. This also applies to commercial people smuggling, the fastest growing criminal market in Europe.
Swiss forests better equipped against storms 25 years after Lothar
This content was published on
Twenty-five years ago, Hurricane Lothar toppled trees like dominoes in Switzerland. Forests today are better prepared to cope with such an exceptional event, say experts.
This content was published on
The Locarno Film Festival is considering moving from the beginning of August to the second half of July for its 80th edition in 2027.
Council of Europe head Alain Berset visits Georgia
This content was published on
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, is visiting Georgia, which has been rocked by a political crisis, from Wednesday.
Swiss politician who shot at Jesus faces criminal proceedings
This content was published on
The Zurich public prosecutor's office has opened criminal proceedings against politician Sanija Ameti. It is investigating whether she disrupted freedom of religion and worship.
Switzerland must be able to control immigration, says head of business federation
This content was published on
Switzerland must be able to control immigration itself if it "exceeds the tolerable limits", says Christoph Mäder, president of Economiesuisse, the Swiss Business Federation.
This content was published on
The film Reinas by Klaudia Reynicke, a Swiss-Peruvian-Spanish co-production, has missed out on an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Film.
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.