By Sicelo Mhlanga

MBABANE: The European Union (EU) has donated an ambulance worth R1million to Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society.

Speaking during the handover event held at the Mountain Inn, Mbabane on Friday,Dassislava Choumelova, the European Union (EU) Ambassador to eSwatini said the EU remains the biggest provider of humanitarian assistance in the world.

The Ambassador said in the last two years, they have supported the most vulnerable households in Eswatini to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and most recently,of the hailstorms.

“Our strong partnership with the Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society and the Finish Red Cross is guaranteed that our assistance reaches those who needed it most. Today we are pleased and proud to be able to provide further assistance to Eswatini in the form of this much needed Ambulance which is meant to strengthen First Aid services in country,”she said.

Danger Nhlabatsi, the Secretary General of the Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society thanked the EU for the generous support provided through the ECHO. 

“The vehicle has come at a right time when there is a need to increase the national society to respond to health and First Aid emergencies in the country, as an organisation there was a great need to have our First Aid support increased and thus we are grateful to the European Union for this support,”said the Secretary General.