VIENTIANE, Laos
Covid-19 test kits donated by the Jack Ma Foundation and the Alibaba Foundation arrived in Vientiane at Wattay International Airport on Saturday March 28. They will be distributed across the country by the Ministry of Health of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR).
Dr Boufeng Phoummalaysith, Vice Minister of Health of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), took receipt of the donation in a ceremony at the Ministry’s office today. Also present to witness this private philanthropic initiative were Mr. Wang Qihui, Counselor of the Economic and Commercial Office of the Chinese Embassy in Laos, and senior government officials of the Lao PDR, including Mr. Somchith Inthamith, Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, and Ms. Phongsamouth Anlavan, Acting Director General Asia Pacific and Africa Department.
“We hope this donation will help Laos in the battle against Covid-19. It is a challenge to source and transport medical supplies to where it is needed the most, but we are working hard to get it done,” said the Jack Ma Foundation.
The donation to Laos is part of the two foundations’ pledge to deliver medical supplies to 10 Asian countries announced on March 21. These 10 countries include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Collectively, the 10 nations will receive a total of 1.8 million masks, 210,000 test kits and 36,000 units of protective clothing, as well as essential medical equipment that include ventilators and forehead thermometers.
To date, the two Foundations have donated medical supplies to 23 Asian countries totaling 7.4 million masks; 485,000 test kits; 100,000 sets of protective clothing along with other medical equipment.
These donations are among a number of aid initiatives from the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Foundation to support the areas of the world most affected by the Covid-19 crisis. This includes sourcing and delivering various types of medical supplies to countries and regions across Asia, North America, Latin America, Europe and Africa.
The Foundations have published and distributed a handbook detailing learnings and best practices from the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, for treating Covid-19 patients: https://covid-19.alibabacloud.com/
More initiatives and donations are expected to be announced over the coming days and weeks.
Follow @JackMa and @foundation_ma on Twitter for the latest efforts of Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Foundation to support the global fight against Covid-19.
About Jack Ma Foundation
Established by Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba Group, the Jack Ma Foundation was founded on December 15, 2014 and has been focusing on education, entrepreneurship, women’s leadership, and the environment. The Foundation aspires to be a reliable, participative, and sustainable philanthropic organization. The Jack Ma Foundation has so far supported projects worldwide including the Jack Ma Rural Education Program, the Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative, the Ma & Morley Scholarship Program, and Jordan’s Queen Rania Foundation. Additionally, the Foundation has also funded a number of projects in its priority areas. The Jack Ma Foundation is committed to empowering rural educators, entrepreneurs, rural children, young start-ups, and women to equip them for the future and to help build a happier, healthier, more sustainable and more inclusive society.
About Alibaba Foundation
The Alibaba Foundation, established in December 2011, aims to create a culture that encourages people to get involved in philanthropy, make it sustainable and genuinely contribute to civil society and nature. Its key funding aspects include water protection, environmental awareness promotion and development of green organizations. Alibaba Group is committed to devoting a percentage of its annual income to the Alibaba Foundation to ensure stable long-term funding that will allow for timely response in the event of natural disasters or expansion of philanthropic projects.
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CONTACT
Dian Safitri
Alibaba Group
+62811852004
dian.safitri@alibaba-inc.com
