Moldova has received Tuesday the first batch of humanitarian aid provided by the EU and WHO to Eastern Partnership countries to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is about 1.5 million pieces of protective equipment for medical staff and laboratory devices.

Present at the ceremony, PM Ion Chicu mentioned that the total value of the donation from the EU is about 3 million euros.

"On behalf of the Government and the citizens of the Republic of Moldova, I want to express our gratitude for the gesture of solidarity of the EU and the WHO, as well as for the simple fact that you are with us for better or worse," Ion Chicu said.

The "Solidarity for Health" program, launched by the EU and the WHO regional office, provides for two years of humanitarian aid worth 30 million euros to the six Eastern Partnership member countries.