MONGOLIA –
On March 5, 2021, U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Gregory May and the Civil-Military Support Element (CMSE) handed over a donation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Rapid Antigen Test Kits to the Deputy Minister of Health Dr. M. Battuvshin. “As a strategic partner, democratic third neighbor, and a friend, the United States is proud to provide assistance to help Mongolia’s frontline workers respond to the coronavirus,” Deputy Chief of Mission Gregory May said. CMSE has also donated equipment to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the General Authority for Special Inspection (GASI). The total donation of 26,000 plastic face shields, 75,000 N95 masks, and 3,150 boxes of latex gloves in various sizes, as well as 30,000 rapid test kits, was purchased with funds from the Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster Assistance, and Civic Aid (OHDACA) program, part of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency of the U.S. Department of Defense.
CMSE, staffed by four U.S. Army Civil Affairs soldiers, cooperates with the government of Mongolia and civilian organizations to boost disaster preparedness and provide assistance. CMSE also coordinates non-disaster assistance, such as the construction of kindergartens in Mongolia funded by OHDACA and in partnership with the Mongolian Ministry of Education and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Alaska Division. Under this program, two kindergartens were opened in 2019, four in 2020, and construction will begin on two more in spring 2021.
CMSE and U.S. Embassy staff, who have resided in Mongolia during the pandemic, are grateful for the work of health and safety professionals, and looking forward to a time soon when we can continue our important diplomatic cooperation in person.