Coronavirus response: NATO Allies deliver critical medical aid to Montenegro in response to COVID-19
NATO Allies have come to the assistance of Montenegro, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The United States, through the U.S. European Command, has recently provided the following medical supplies to the Podgorica Clinical Center, including 3 Dräger Vista 120 patient monitors, 210 infusion sets and one infusion pump.
Last week, the Netherlands transported 7,000 kilo / 70m³ of personal protective equipment and medical supplies from Beijing (China) to Podgorica. The delivery was made with a cargo plane. It included masks, gloves, test kits, protective clothes, goggles, thermometers and face shields. A second delivery of medical material funded by the Netherlands to Montenegro is foreseen to be organized in early May.
Montenegro requested assistance through the Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre, NATO’s principal disaster response mechanism. The Centre operates on a 24/7 basis, coordinating requests from NATO Allies and partners, as well as offers of assistance to cope with the consequences of major crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Various other mechanisms have been used in this instance, including purchases by the Government of Montenegro, European Union assistance for urgent medical supplies to Montenegro and donations from China.
In early April, Montenegro received masks, overalls, and test kits from Turkey as part of medical supplies provided by Turkey to other NATO Allies and partners in Balkans, including North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia.