Africa has received a much-needed care package of massive medical supplies donated by Chinese billionaire and CEO of Alibaba, Jack Ma.
The package which was sent to 54 African countries to battle coronavirus, arrived on March 22 in Addis Ababa, through an Ethiopian Airlines cargo flight from Guangzhou, China.
According to Jack Ma Foundation, they include 5.4 million face masks, kits for 1.08 million detection tests, 40,000 sets of protective clothing and 60,000 sets of protective face shields.
The supplies will first be distributed to countries throughout Africa which are particularly vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The remaining 600,000 masks are expected to reach Addis Ababa and be distributed to more African nations over the next few weeks, it said.
The virus has now spread to at least 43 of the continent’s 54 countries, with more than 1,100 cases confirmed. In response many African countries are imposing restrictions.
The relief initiative forms part of Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Foundation’s ongoing efforts to contain the spread of the COVID-19 and provide aid to afflicted communities across the globe.
This donation is part of global efforts that the Jack Ma and Alibaba Foundations have promoted to support the areas of the world most affected by the COVID-19 crisis, sourcing and delivering various types of medical supplies to countries such as China, Japan, South Korea, United States, Italy, Belgium, France, Spain, the Netherlands and Slovenia.