The US Embassy in Dhaka donated equipment includes 1,000 KN95 surgical masks, 800 200-milliliter bottles of hand sanitizer, 500 pairs of surgical gloves, 300 hazardous materials (HAZMAT) suits, 100 protective masks, and 50 medical goggles, all of which were sourced locally from Bangladeshi companies.  

US Ambassador Earl Miller and representatives of the US military’s Indo-Pacific Command handed over the PPEs to Fire Service and Civil Defense Director of Training, Planning, and Development LTC Zulfiker Rahman and Assistant Director Mohammed Abdul Momen.

To date, the US has provided over $22 million to complement Bangladesh’s ongoing efforts to prepare and respond to the spread of COVID-19 to improve rapid diagnosis, increase knowledge and dispel myths and misconceptions about the disease, and support heroic frontline, including FSCD first responders, who risk their lives daily to protect everyone in Bangladesh.  
 
The Bangladesh Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) will distribute the PPE equipment to FSCD first responders working to protect local communities against the spread of COVID-19.

The PPE will enable FSCD first responders to respond quickly and safely to individuals who may be displaying COVID-19 symptoms.

The US Embassy in Dhaka continues working in close partnership with the government of Bangladesh on a range of programs to identify and alleviate critical medical shortages across the country, including on the distribution of PPE and other medical supplies to Bangladesh first responders and designated COVID-19 medical treatment facilities.  

Today’s delivery of US funded, locally produced PPE is one of many US Embassy Dhaka initiatives that demonstrates the US government’s continuing commitment to the Bangladeshi people, to promoting mutual understanding between the two countries, to and a strong partnership helping to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region, said the Embassy.

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Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the US government has committed more than $900 million worldwide in emergency health, humanitarian, economic, and development assistance specifically aimed at helping governments, international organizations, and NGOs fight the pandemic.  

This funding will save lives by improving public health education, protecting healthcare facilities, and increasing laboratory, disease-surveillance, and rapid-response capacity in more than 120 countries.  

In Bangladesh, the $22 million in funding builds on more than $1 billion in health assistance provided to Bangladesh over the past 20 years and underscores the long-term US commitment to ensuring access to quality, lifesaving health services for all people in Bangladesh.  

US Embassy Dhaka said it is proud to donate this essential personal protective equipment to Fire Service and Civil Defense, first responders working to protect local communities against the spread of COVID-19.  

Fire Service's first responders are critical frontline workers confronting this crisis.  

They, together with health care workers, police, journalists and photojournalists, people who work in grocery stores and pharmacies and other businesses, and in non-governmental and community organisations, perform remarkable acts of service every day.  

“You're all genuine heroes … You deserve our immense gratitude,” Ambassador Miller said.