Millions of Masks, COVID-19 Test Kits Donated by Jack Ma Foundation for Africa Arrives in Ethiopia

A batch of medical supplies donated by China's Jack Ma Foundation to 54 African countries, including 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, arrived in Addis Ababa on Sunday.

ADDIS ABABA, March 22 (Xinhua) — Massive medical supplies donated by China's Jack Ma Foundation to 54 African countries arrived on Sunday morning in Addis Ababa, capital of the East African nation of Ethiopia, through an Ethiopian Airlines cargo flight.

Staff members unload the medical supplies from China at the airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, March 22, 2020. [Xinhua/Wang Shoubao]

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, according to the Jack Ma Foundation.

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 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.

Photo taken on March 22, 2020 shows the medical supplies from China at the airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. [Xinhua/Wang Shoubao]

Earlier this week, the foundations had announced their commitment to donating 100,000 medical masks, 20,000 test kits and 1,000 protective suits and face shields to each of the 54 nations on the African continent.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across Africa has climbed to 1,114 as 40 African countries reported confirmed cases as of Saturday afternoon, the Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention disclosed on Saturday.

Collaboration and partnership with the Alibaba-led Electronic World Trade Platform (eWTP) hubs in Ethiopia and Rwanda is expected to prompt the distribution across Africa. The flight with the shipment landed at the eWTP hub in Ethiopia, which will help facilitate transport and distribution of donations throughout the continent.

Staff members unload the medical supplies from China at the airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, March 22, 2020. [Xinhua/Wang Shoubao]

"Getting these donations to all 54 African countries, with diverse geographic conditions and different levels of infrastructure, is a great logistical and transportation challenge. We are working around the clock to make the delivery as fast as possible. " according to a Jack Ma Foundation statement.

"With our technology and eWTP Hubs, we are doing our utmost to quickly deliver these donations, so the supplies can reach those who need them most," added Song Juntao, Secretary-General of eWTP.

Staff members arrange medical supplies at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in Guangzhou, capital city of south China's Guangdong Province, March 21, 2020. [Xinhua/Tian Jianchuan]

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, United States, Italy, Belgium, France, Spain, the Netherlands and Slovenia.

Established by Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba Group, the Jack Ma Foundation was founded in 2014 and has been focusing on education, entrepreneurship, women's leadership, and the environment. 

(Souce: Xinhua)