Coronavirus: Masks, testing kits donated by Chinese billionaire Jack Ma arrive in Kenya

Coronavirus: Masks, testing kits donated by Chinese billionaire Jack Ma arrive in Kenya

Kenya’s share of protective and medical equipment donated by Chinese billionaire and Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma to combat the coronavirus have arrived at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi.

The shipment arrived at JKIA from Addis Ababa aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight shortly after midday on Tuesday, March 24.

Jack Ma promised to issue out a total of 1.1 million testing kits, 6 million masks and 60,000 medical use protective suits and face shields that will be distributed among all the 54 African nations.

He announced that each African country would receive 20,000 testing kits, 100,000 masks and 1,000 medical use protective suits and face shields.

The first batch of the equipment, arrived in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa on Sunday, March 22 with more supplies set to be shipped in the coming weeks.

In a statement issued last week, the Chinese billionaire further said that the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Foundation will immediately start working with medical institutions in Africa to provide online training material for COVID-19 clinical treatment.

The Alibaba co-founder says the donation is meant “to combat the potential surging demand for medical supplies and equipment in Africa.”

“We cannot ignore the potential risk to Africa and assume this continent of 1.3 billion people will blissfully escape this crisis. The world cannot afford the unthinkable consequences of a COVID-19 pandemic in Africa,” he stated.

Jack Ma has also made similar donations to the US, Japan and countries in Europe.

In Ethiopia, the shipment arrived having a sign attached with the slogan, “when people are determined they can overcome anything”.

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