has donated for Armed Forces members who are on the frontline of the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The biosafety equipment, valued at 40,000 euros (around US$47,246), consists of 6,000 KN95 masks, 636 N95 masks for the Army, 960 N95 masks for the Navy, and 31 (6800 series) full-face respirators for the Air Force.
Held on Thursday, the handover ceremony featured
Defense Minister Jorge Chavez and French Ambassador to Peru Antoine Grassin, as well as commanders general Jorge Celiz (Army), Fernando Cerdan (Navy) and Rodolfo Garcia (Air Force).
According to the minister, this donation will serve to protect the Armed Forces personnel responsible for ensuring compliance with state of emergency measures.
"We are convinced that this material will be used to save lives. The soldiers who are on the frontline and serve the population must be protected. That is our responsibility, and we wholeheartedly value the lives of our soldiers," he stated.
In addition, the government official thanked the Republic of France for the support, within the framework of the friendship between both countries.
"I hope that the friendly relations and the interaction between the Armed Forces of Peru and the sister Republic of France will continue to strengthen even more, on the basis of true friendship," he expressed.
For his part, the French Ambassador affirmed that this donation plays a crucial role in the fight against the spread of the virus.
"I would like to express the solidarity of France with Peru in the fight against COVID-19 through donations. In addition, there is a multilateral initiative to join efforts in the research for the vaccine. The current donation is a testament to the solidarity in the midst of this tragic pandemic that affects us all," he said.
Grassin recalled the agreement signed with the Ministry of Health to help upgrade two hospitals, one in Lima and the other in Cusco, with the aim of providing better health care to the population.
(END) NDP/RMB/MVB