Wu Chen-chi (right), acting head of the Taiwan Representative Office in Somaliland, and Hassan Mohamed Ali Gafadhi, minister of health development, display the agreement greenlighting Taiwan’s donation of 150,000 Medigen COVID-19 vaccine doses to Somaliland Dec. 27 in capital Hargeisa. (MOFA)

Taiwan will donate 150,000 Medigen COVID-19 vaccine doses to Somaliland as part of its commitment to safeguarding the health of the people in the Horn of Africa partner and combating coronavirus worldwide, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Dec. 28.

Wu Chen-chi, acting head of the Taiwan Representative Office in Somaliland, and Hassan Mohamed Ali Gafadhi, minister of health development, formalized provision of the shots developed by Hsinchu County-based Medigen Vaccine Biologics Corp. during a signing ceremony the day before in capital Hargeisa.

According to the MOFA, the number of COVID-19 cases in Africa is escalating as the omicron variant spreads across the continent. The donation follows a recent decision by health officials in Somaliland to grant emergency use authorization for the Medigen vaccine, the ministry said.

In keeping with the spirit of Health for All and Taiwan Can Help, the MOFA said, the government is willing and able to work with allies and like-minded partners in strengthening the global response to the pandemic.

Taiwan and Somaliland share a close friendship and many years of close cooperation in mutually beneficial areas benefiting the people, the ministry said. Highlights since the opening of respective representative offices in 2020 include projects spanning education, health care and marine security, the MOFA added.

In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the MOFA said “.@Taiwan_SLD acting Rep. Wu & @HassanGafadhi signed a pact for the donation of 150K #Medigen #COVID19 vaccine doses by #Taiwan to #Somaliland. The shots will save lives, advance bilateral ties & forge progress on realizing the @WHO’s vision of #HealthForAll. Yes! #TaiwanCanHelp.” (SFC-E)