WELLINGTON, April 28 (Xinhua) — New Zealand is providing support to India in response to the devastating COVID-19 situation facing the country, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said on Wednesday.
“We stand in solidarity with India at this difficult time, and commend the tireless efforts of India’s frontline medics and healthcare workers who are working hard to save lives,” Mahuta said in a statement.
New Zealand will contribute 1 million NZ dollars (719,000 U.S. dollars) to the International Federation of the Red Cross to assist India while they respond to the current surge in COVID-19 cases, she said.
The International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) is working directly with the local Indian Red Cross Society to provide oxygen cylinders, oxygen concentrators, and other crucial medical supplies. The IFRC is also scaling up emergency operations across India by providing an intensified ambulance and blood service, and distributing personal protective equipment and hygiene kits to communities in need, Mahuta said.
“This is a distressing and challenging time for the people of India and we will work alongside the international community as we work to combat the debilitating impact of COVID-19 on the health of our people,” she said, adding the New Zealand government will continue to monitor the situation and stand ready to assist the Indian government. Enditem
新西兰外交部长纳奈亚·马哈塔（Nanaia Mahuta）周三表示，新西兰正在为印度提供支持，以应对该国面临的毁灭性COVID-19局势。
马哈塔在一份声明中说，“我们在这个困难的时刻与印度站在一起，并对正在努力挽救生命的印度前线医护人员的不懈努力表示赞赏。”
她说，新西兰将向国际红十字会捐款100万纽元，以协助印度应对目前COVID-19病例激增的情况。 红十字国际联合会（IFRC）正在直接与当地的印度红十字会合作，以提供氧气瓶、氧气浓缩器和其他重要的医疗用品。
马哈塔说，IFRC还通过提供加强的救护车和血液服务，以及向有需要的社区分发个人防护设备和卫生用品包，来扩大整个印度的紧急行动。
她说，“对于印度人民来说，这是一个令人痛苦和充满挑战的时期，我们将与国际社会一道努力，以对抗COVID-19对我们人民健康的破坏性影响。”她补充说，新西兰政府将继续关注局势，并随时准备协助印度政府。
