Guatemala’s Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance and the Migration Institute received a donation from the U.S. government of 12 military field medical tents with a 16-people capacity, 142 folding cots, and two 30-kilowatt diesel generators.
The donation totals $243,402.48, and was carried out by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. Department of Defense through U.S. Southern Command. These tents will help national hospitals and centers for returnees to create safe areas for COVID-19 testing, detection, treatment, and quarantine.
The handover took place at the National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (CONRED, in Spanish) facilities, with the participation of U.S. Ambassador to Guatemala Luis Arreaga, who stressed that “during a global health crisis, the United States collaborates with its friends, as we have done with Guatemala from the beginning of this worlwide crisis.” He added that the government he represents is working on delivering additional assistance in the coming weeks.
Guatemalan Health Minister Amelia Flores, Foreign Minister Pedro Brolo, and CONRED Executive Secretary Oscar Cossío took part in the handover ceremony.
The Guatemalan government thanks the United States for this donation.