Israel has sent emergency aid to Cameroon to help it combat the outbreak of avian influenza which has spread swiftly throughout the country, paralyzing the poultry industry, jeopardizing the livelihood of many and causing great harm to the economy.
The Israeli aid was presented in a formal ceremony in Yaoundé on Wednesday.
The outbreak in the West African country was first discovered three months ago. Despite the swift reaction of Cameroon’s government, the epidemic spread rapidly throughout the country, causing grave harm to the country’s economy and jeopardizing the livelihood of many people dependent on the poultry industry.
MASHAV, Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation, the body responsible for coordinating the Israel’s official global humanitarian assistance program, together with Israel’s Ministry of Agriculture organized an initial Israeli aid shipment consisting of 200 protective suits.
The protective gear was presented to the government at an official ceremony that took place at the central veterinarian laboratory in Yaoundé in the presence of Dr. Taiga, the Minister of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries, the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) representative Mai Moussa Abari and other officials.
Speaking at the ceremony, Israeli Ambassador Ran Gidor stressed that this was preliminary emergency aid, and that once the epidemic is obliterated, Israel will be pleased to provide assistance and guidance in the rehabilitation of the poultry industry in the country.
Israel has a proud history of leading humanitarian, medical and logistical assistance to countries in distress around the world, including, for example, tornado victims in Oklahoma, typhoon refugees of storms in the Philippines and earthquake victims in Haiti and Nepal. The Jewish state was most recently active in sending relief to flood victims in Myanmar.
Along the years, Israel has sent humanitarian relief and assistance to more than 140 countries, saving a great number of lives.
By: Aryeh Savir, World Israel News