Editor’s note:This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
The Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Foundation on March 19 announced a joint donation of 2 million masks, 150,000 test kits, 20,000 sets of protective gear and 20,000 face shields to four countries in Southeast Asia. Two days later, the foundations increased their coronavirus-aid efforts across Asia and committed to donating an additional 1.8 million masks, 210,000 test kits and 36,000 pieces of protective clothing, as well as ventilators and thermometers, to 10 more countries on the continent. The below details the latest information about these donations.
First Batch of Supplies Arrive in Pakistan
In the afternoon of March 25, a cargo plane carrying crucial medical supplies arrived in Pakistan. The supplies were among the first batch of donations made by the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Foundation to reach the South Asian nation.
Representing the two foundations, Ehsan Saya, managing director of Daraz in Pakistan, delivered the items to Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah. Also present at the handover ceremony was Li Bijian, the consul general of China to Karachi, and Zhang Hao, the vice consul of China to Karachi.
Medical Aid Received by Thai Ministry of Public Health
The first delivery of face masks, protective suits and face shields donated by the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Foundation was formally received by the Thai Ministry of Public Health in a handover ceremony on March 26.
“Thailand is faced with a time of unprecedented challenges like many countries around the world. However, we are determined to win the fight against the pandemic,” said Anutin Charnvirakul, the deputy prime minister and minister of public health. “Our heartfelt gratitude goes to the Jack Ma Foundation and the Alibaba Foundation for their timely and much-needed assistance as we are making our best efforts to adjust to a rapidly evolving situation.”
James Dong, the CEO of Lazada Thailand, was present at the handover ceremony on behalf of the two foundations. He presented the donation to the Ministry of Public Health, who would work closely with the Government Pharmaceutical Organization of Thailand to transport and distribute the supplies across the country.
Two Batches of Supplies Land in Malaysia
Face masks, test kits, protective suits and face shields donated by the Alibaba Foundation and Jack Ma Foundation arrived at the KL International Airport late in the evening of March 25. This was followed by a second delivery of supplies early the next morning.
WATCH: Medical supplies arrive in Kuala Lumpur
In a handover ceremony, the deputy director general of the National Disaster Management Agency, Datuk Khairul Shahril Bin Idrus, received the supplies from Lazada Malaysia CEO Leo Chow, who was representing the donating parties.
The arrival of supplies to Malaysia also highlighted the country’s role in supporting the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Foundation in their wider relief efforts across the region. Leveraging its status as the first overseas base for the Electronic World Trade Platform – an Alibaba-led initiative that aims to make global trade easier and more inclusive – Malaysia has played a key role in facilitating cross-border transportation and distribution of goods donated by the foundations.
The Philippines Receives Coronavirus-Relief Package
Medical items donated by the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Foundation were received by the Department of Health in the Philippines on March 26. The supplies were part of larger donation, with a second delivery due to arrive in Manila next week.
“The arrival of the first batch of donations underscores the generosity of the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Foundation and their genuine desire to help developing countries like the Philippines fight the coronavirus pandemic that has claimed thousands of lives worldwide and battered the global economy,” said Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, who added that the donations would be critical to the country’s efforts to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Supplies Touch Down in Jakarta, Indonesia
A delivery of face masks, protective suits and face shields arrived in Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on March 27. The supplies were the first batch of donations made by the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Foundation to aid Indonesia in the fight against Covid-19.
The delivery was received by Luhut B. Panjaitan, the coordinating minister for maritime affairs and investment. “We would like to express our gratitude to Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Foundation for providing the much needed medical supplies support for Indonesia,” he said.
Test Kits Arrive in Cambodia
Covid-19 test kits arrived in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on March 28. These were presented to Mam Bunheng, the country’s health minister, in a ceremony also attended by the Chinese ambassador to Cambodia, Wang Wentian.
Donations Pledged to Additional Asian Countries as Supplies Arrive in India
The Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Foundation on March 29 announced that they would increase their coronavirus-relief efforts across Asia by donating medical supplies – including 1.7 million face masks, 165,000 test kits as well as protective clothing and other equipment – to Azerbaijan, Bhutan, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Vietnam and Uzbekistan.
The first batch of supplies landed in Delhi in the evening of March 28 and were received by the Indian Red Cross Society.
Supplies Reach Nepal and Bangladesh
Medical supplies landed at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu on March 29. The first batch of coronavirus-relief donations to reach Nepal, these were presented to the country’s Ministry of Health and Population by Lino Ahlering, the managing director for Daraz in Nepal, on behalf of the donating parties.
Supplies also landed in Bangladesh. Representing the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Foundation, Mostahidal Hoq, the managing director for Daraz, Bangladesh, delivered the donated supplies to the country’s minister of foreign affairs, A.K. Abdul Momen.
Supplies Arrive in Myanmar, Mongolia and Laos
Medical supplies donated by the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Foundation were received on March 30 by the Myanmar Ministry of Health and Sports for further distribution across the country. The medical supplies were presented by Ron Aung, the commercial director for Daraz in Myanmar, to Thar Tun Kyaw, the director general of the union minister’s office. Later in the day, supplies also arrived in Ulan Bator, the capital of Mongolia.
The donating parties also shared that test kits had been transported to Laos and were received by the vice minister of health, Boufeng Phoummalaysith.
For more coverage on Jack Ma Foundation’s coronavirus-relief efforts,click here.
