When the Government of Rwanda declared a Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak on 27 September 2024, national health authorities faced a sudden need for large quantities of high‑grade protective equipment to safeguard frontline responders and prevent further transmission. In response to Rwanda’s formal request for assistance through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), Luxembourg mobilised a major contribution from its Ministry of Health and Social Security’s national pandemic stockpile, facilitated operationally by emergency.lu.
Luxembourg donated 330 pallets of personal protective equipment (PPE), medical devices and disinfectants, including items essential for infection prevention and control in high‑risk environments. The consignment was assembled rapidly through coordinated action between the Directorate for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs (MAEE – D5), the Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps (CGDIS), national logistics partners and the Luxembourg Embassy in Rwanda.
With EU co‑financing under the UCPM, the relief cargo was airlifted from Luxembourg and delivered to Kigali on 3 December 2024, where it was received by Rwandan health partners for immediate integration into national response operations. The donation helped replenish essential supplies, strengthen outbreak containment efforts and reduce risks to medical staff treating suspected and confirmed Marburg cases.
