Turkey sending cargo plane full of PPE to help US in coronavirus fight

Turkey is sending an aircraft carrying personal protective equipment (PPE) to the U.S. to help with shortages in fighting the coronavirus.

A military cargo plane carrying the medical equipment was sent from an airbase near the capital Ankara on Tuesday and is scheduled to land at Joint Base Andrews near Washington, according to state-run Anadolu Agency, The Associated Press reported.

A top official said Turkey is providing 400 N-95 masks, 500 face shields, 528 gallons of disinfectant, 1,500 goggles, 500,000 surgical masks and 4,000 overalls, the report added.

Turkey has sent similar shipments of aid to more than 50 counties, including Italy, Britain, and Spain.

Fahrettin Altun, the Turkish presidential communications director, said, “We pledge to help our friends and allies in need to the best of our ability and stand in solidarity with nations around the world at this difficult time.”

The U.S. ambassador to Turkey, David Satterfield, released a statement thanking Ankara for donating the PPE supplies.

“During times of crisis, like the worldwide effort to combat COVID-19, close coordination among like-minded allies and partners is key to developing a swift and effective response. None of us can do this alone,” Satterfield said.

He added, “On behalf of the U.S. Government, I want to thank our NATO Ally Turkey for today’s generous donation of medical supplies and other essential equipment.”

The supplies would be “received and managed” by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, according to Satterfield.