President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina spoke on the phone on Wednesday, regarding Covid-19 efforts.

President’s Office said that both leaders apprised each other of the challenges being confronted in their respective countries due to the virus’ spread, and the measures that their governments are taking in response.

Solih also ‘warmly’ acknowledged the recent generosity of the Bangladeshi Government, and thanked them for the various assistance extended including the evacuations of Maldivians in Bangladesh and Nepal, as well as for the medical assistance and equipment that they recently provided; 100 tonnes of essential aids arrived from the fellow SAARC nation on Wednesday morning.

PM Hasina stated that she was ‘more than happy’ to be of assistance, adding that ‘it is the duty of the region’s leaders to support each other during these adverse times’. She further stated that Bangladesh is ‘ready to assist in any other capacity that they can, from ensuring regional food security, to sending medical personnel’. A 10-member medical team from the nation also arrived this week.

The two also spoke on the many Bangladeshi expatriates who are resident in the Maldives, with President Solih stressing that he ‘will not differentiate between foreigners and citizens’, in the country’s efforts against Covid-19. The president added that the health and security of everyone currently in the Maldives is the ‘highest priority’.

President Solih also sent out a tweet after the phone call, expressing gratitude towards the Bangladeshi prime minister.