ANKARA 

Turkey’s state-run aid agency on Monday sent food aid to Uganda to help the East African country amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) sent 1,000 food packages, including flour, beans and sugar, to Uganda, whose economy has been hard hit by the outbreak, according to a statement by TIKA.

Turkey’s Ambassador to Uganda Fikret Kerem Alp and TIKA’s Uganda Coordinator Yahya Acun delivered the aid to Mary Karooro Okurut, the minister in charge of general duties, to distribute them to needy people.

Okurut thanked Turkey for the relief on behalf of her country.

After originating in China last December, COVID-19 has spread to at least 185 countries and regions.

The pandemic has killed almost 207,000 people, with total infections nearing 3 million, according to figures compiled by the US’ Johns Hopkins University. Over 870,000 people have recovered.

*Writing by Gozde Bayar