President Mohamed Farmaajo has expressed his delight at Turkey’s demonstration of “true brotherliness” by donating medical supplies to help Somalia fight COVID-19.
In recent months, Ankara has proved that it remains one of Mogadishu’s strongest and most loyal supporters on the international scene.
This past Friday, Turkey flagged off a planeload of medical supplies donated to the Horn of Africa nation to help its efforts aimed at curbing the spread of the virulent disease.
Mogadishu, and other parts of the country, have been grappling with the increased COVID-19 cases, which have caused closure of schools, a ban on flights, and nighttime curfews.
By Thursday, the Ministry of Health reported 601 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 28 deaths and 31 recoveries.
Somalia is one of the worst-hit countries in the region.
The fact that its health system is in the doldrums after decades of political instability and clan-based conflicts makes for very grim reading too.
On Saturday, President Farmaajo released a statement from Villa Somalia acknowledging the contribution Turkey is making towards the fight against COVID-19.
He called Turkey’s support and donation “key” in the ongoing battle against the virulent disease that has shocked the world to its roots.