Nigerien president, PM receive China-donated COVID-19 vaccine at airport

A plane carrying China-donated COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Niamey, capital of Niger, on March 21.

Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou, Prime Minister Brigi Rafini, Acting Health Minister Ahmed Boto, a number of Nigerien ministers and Chinese Ambassador to Niger Zhang Lijun welcomed the vaccine at the airport.

[Photo/Chinese embassy in Niger]

[Photo/Chinese embassy in Niger]

Issoufou said that he is sincerely grateful for the selfless donation of China on behalf of the Nigerien government and people. China was the first country in the world to respond to the Nigerien government's request for vaccines, made to several countries and international partners. This is another example of the close, highly-efficient and dynamic cooperation between Niger and China.

Issoufou said that providing vaccine to developing countries will help close the immunization gap that currently exists between countries. He said he hopes that more countries will be able to access vaccine like Niger and join hands to fight the pandemic.

Niger will launch a vaccination campaign as soon as possible and give priority to the high-risk and vulnerable groups, said Issoufou.

[Photo/Chinese embassy in Niger]

Ahmed Boto spoke highly of the large amount of assistance provided by the Chinese government, enterprises and non-profit organizations to Niger since the outbreak of the pandemic.

He said that China has once again provided assistance to Niger by rapidly offering the COVID-19 vaccine, which reflects the ongoing affection between the two countries.

[Photo/Chinese embassy in Niger]

Zhang said that the Chinese government made the decision to donate COVID-19 vaccine to Niger despite its limited supply and huge demand. Niger is one of the first countries to receive the vaccine from China, and the newly-arrived batch of vaccine is also the first for Niger. These two "firsts" fully demonstrate the deep friendship of mutual support between China and Niger.

China is actively fulfilling its solemn commitment to making the vaccine a global public good, upholding the visions of a community with a shared future for mankind and a global community of health for all, and making its own contribution to the accessibility and affordability of vaccines in developing countries, said Zhang.

The vaccine assistance is in response to the consensus reached by the leaders of China and Niger to unite and fight the pandemic. He said he believes that this shipment of vaccine will help Niger fight the pandemic and protect the health and safety of the Nigerien people.