EU, UNICEF TO SHIP DRUGS, SUPPLIES TO BURUNDI

A donation of drugs worth $1.6 million from the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) will benefit 890,000 children and 32,000 pregnant women in Burundi over the next three months.

The first 63-ton consignment, including drugs, arrived in the country on Saturday. The EU, through the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office, and UNICEF plan to ship a total of 173 tons of supplies.

UNICEF officials said the donation was the international community's response to the Burundi's decision in May to begin offering free medical care to children under 5 and pregnant women. The donated medicines will be for treating diseases such as malaria, respiratory infections and diarrhea, along with drugs to aid in childbirth.