Swazi Observer

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TAIWAN DONATES E10M FOR COVID-19

By NONDUDUZO KUNENE | 2020-03-26

THE Republic of China (Taiwan) yesterday donated E10 million towards the coronavirus fight in the country.

The donation was made by Taiwan Ambassador to Eswatini Jeremy Liang to the Resource Mobilisation Committee (RBC) headed by Dr. Phil Mnisi. It was received by National Emergency Task Force Chairman Themba Masuku at Cabinet offices.

Following the partial lockdown announced by His Majesty King Mswati III which comes into effect tomorrow, Liang said he appreciates the efforts by the country’s authorities in fighting the spread of COVID-19.

Currently, the country has five confirmed cases, whilst South Africa had 709 by yesterday.

Ambassador Liang said seeing the threat posed by the coronavirus pandemic to the people and Eswatini at large, they saw it necessary to extend a helping hand towards the noble cause initiated by the King and government.

The ambassador said Taiwan was the first country to alert the world about COVID-19 and its government took serious strides to control its spread.

Liang added that looking at the way Eswatini government, as well as the King committed themselves to fight the pandemic, they were geared to assist the nation, hence the E10 million donation.

“We will share expertise and experience to help the King and country to fight the virus,” he said.

Adding to the monetary donation, the ambassador said Taiwan would share and offer their valuable lesson on how to curb the spread of coronavirus as they have succeeded.

Liang further commended government for acting fast in order to control the virus and said he believed that Eswatini has a huge potential to curb the virus.

He then urged all sectors of the economy to join hands with government in order to fight the virus.

Donation

Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the National Emergency Task Force Themba Masuku accepted the donation on behalf of government.

Masuku said the donation came at the most important time where the nation was trying to mobilise funds to fight the spread of the pandemic.

He further thanked the King for quickly calling upon government to set up structures of fighting the coronavirus.

He added that with the help of countries such as Taiwan, the country has noble partners in fighting the pandemic.

Chairperson of the Resource Mobilisation team Dr. Phil Mnisi assured the Republic of China (Taiwan) that every cent of the funds collected by the team would be used responsibly.

“Each and every cent of the money will be accounted for,” he said.

He said they would constantly update the nation with details of where the money was used at and for what.

Over 430 000 people have tested positive to COVID-19 globally resulting in about 20 000 deaths, something which has seen the World Health Organisation declaring it a pandemic.

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