Bangladesh Red Crescent Society Chairman Hafiz Ahmed Mazumdar, MP received the vehicles and keys on behalf of the Society National at the Headquarters of Bangladesh Red Crescent, according to a press release.

With this, Bangladesh Red Crescent’s ambulance service will be strengthened in providing emergency service to vulnerable people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Two of these ambulances are with ICU facilities and two are specially equipped for COVID-19 patients.

The IFRC will hand over another blood collection van to Bangladesh Red Crescent in the coming week to support their blood collection drive.

Also read: COVID-19: Efforts of Bangladesh Red Crescent Society volunteers, staff lauded

Bangladesh Red Crescent Society Vice Chairman Professor Dr. Md. Habibe Millat, MP, Secretary General Md. Feroz Salah Uddin, Deputy Secretary General Md. Rafiqul Islam, Acting Head of IFRC Bangladesh Country Office Sanjeev Kumar Kafley, and IFRC COVID-19 Operations Manager Ali Akgul were present among others.

Also read: Red Crescent installs over 10,000 hand-wash basins to fight coronavirus

Bangladesh Red Crescent Society Chairman Hafiz Ahmed Mazumdar said “Bangladesh Red Crescent Society has been supporting vulnerable people in Bangladesh not only during the COVID-19 pandemic but also during any disaster and emergency."

He said that the ambulances and sample collection van that have been added to the Red Crescent health services will help the Society in implementing its overall COVID-19 response activities.

Also read: Red Crescent donates PPE to 4 Covid-19 dedicated hospitals

Bangladesh Red Crescent Vice Chairman and IFRC governing board member Professor Dr. Md. Habibe Millat, MP said “As an auxiliary to the government, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society has been working to support the vulnerable people of Bangladesh."

He mentioned that Society’s humanitarian works have been highly acclaimed throughout the world. The Society has received several international awards and became a member of IFRC governing board through their excellent work.

Also read: Covid-19: Red Crescent Society launches isolation, treatment centers in Cox's Bazar

IFRC Acting Head of Bangladesh Country Office Sanjeev Kumar Kafley said, “The ICU ambulances that are handed over are equipped to transfer critical patients to hospitals and will support Bangladesh Red Crescent in helping vulnerable people. The sample collection van will make COVID-19 sample collection and testing easier and will contribute to the government’s overall COVID-19 response efforts.”

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society has been working to increase mass awareness and improve hygiene practice; distributing leaflets; disinfecting public places; distributing food and facemasks; providing cash grants and food parcels to people affected by COVID-19.

Also read: Coronavirus: ICRC donates 500,000 CHF to Bangladesh Red Crescent Society