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UNIPATH STAFF
The Royal Navy of Oman opened a lifeline to a section of the country geographically and economically isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Musandam governorate, a mountainous peninsula that juts into the Strait of Hormuz, is separated from the rest of Oman by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The COVID lockdown resulted in the closure of land borders between the UAE and Musandam, which left its 31,500 residents without easy access to food, fuel, medical supplies and other necessities.
The sultanate was forced to improvise ways to deliver those essentials to its noncontiguous province. The Royal Navy began the humanitarian mission using naval vessels such as Nasr Al Bahr to run in convoys between Saeed bin Sultan Naval Base in Al Batinah governorate and Khasab Port in Musandam.
Shipments included fuel to supply power plants and gas stations throughout the governorate. Entire tanker trucks were loaded aboard the Nasr Al Bahr.
The rescue mission was appreciated by Musandam residents fearful that the pandemic would sever all access to the Omani mainland.
“Thankfully, proactive measures were adopted and enforced and efforts by state and private institutions were harnessed to provide all needed supplies and goods,” Musandam business leader Raed bin Muhammad said. “The Royal Navy of Oman continues to offer support in this regard.” Source: Omani Ministry of Defense