Press Release
For Immediate release
Djibouti
Monday, August 17, 2020 – The United States presented a new RNA extraction testing machine to the Djiboutian Ministry of Health in a ceremony attended by U.S. Ambassador to Djibouti Larry E. André and Deputy Commanding General of the Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa Brigadier General Damian Donahoe. This machine will allow Djiboutian doctors and researchers to study and verify local strains of coronavirus and other infectious diseases. It will provide an essential technology in the Government of Djibouti’s strategy to fight the global pandemic.
This machine complements the two PCR machines already offered by the United States to the Government of Djibouti. The donation is part of the Department of Defense Humanitarian Assistance Program to reduce the risk of, prepare for, and respond to humanitarian disaster. The Djibouti Ministry of Health requested the additional machine to expand local COVID-19 testing efforts.
Since the start of the pandemic, the U.S. military has delivered a PCR testing and RNA extraction machine, 25,000 latex gloves, 4,000 masks, 500 hygiene kits, and 60 hospital beds with mattresses to the Government of Djibouti. USAID provided IT equipment and the United States funded another PCR testing machine through the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The U.S. Department of Defense Humanitarian Assistance Program supports diverse efforts in Djibouti. In the past three years, the program delivered or is executing more than $2.9 million in projects to Djibouti, including libraries, clinics, water system repairs, veterinary exchanges, and medical equipment and supplies. This includes three libraries completed this year and two health clinics that are currently under construction.
The United States salutes the people of Djibouti for their perseverance and resiliency during this crisis and congratulates them for containing the spread of the pandemic.
