Logistics companies FedEx and UPS have announced free shipments of protective masks and equipment to help combat the spread of the coronavirus in Wuhan, China.
The UPS Foundation, which leads global citizenship programs for UPS, will provide free air transportation of more than two million respirator masks and 11,000 protective coveralls to China.
Working with MAP International and MedShare, two Georgia, USA-based non-profit global health organizations, the UPS-operated flight is being coordinated through the Red Cross Society of China and the recipient organization Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention in collaboration with Project HOPE.
“The world needs strong public-private partnerships to help contain the spread of this deadly virus and The UPS Foundation is expanding its humanitarian relief network to support our partners in providing supply chain expertise and air transport,” said Eduardo Martinez, president of The UPS Foundation and UPS chief diversity and inclusion officer.
Meanwhile FedEx has shipped more than 200,000 surgical masks and personal protective equipment such as gowns and gloves to its Asia-Pacific Hub in Guangzhou, China to assist the humanitarian work of Direct Relief. FedEx is working closely with China Post which will deliver the aid from Guangzhou to Wuhan Union Hospital.
“Direct Relief is deeply thankful to FedEx for enabling this rapid response to fulfill a very specific order that the medical staff in Wuhan’s largest hospital selected from our current stockpile,” said Thomas Tighe, Direct Relief president and CEO. “In rapidly unfolding situations such as this, it’s obviously important to move fast but with precision and proper coordination with all the relevant authorities – which FedEx’s extraordinary team has made possible.”
This collaboration is part of the FedEx Cares ‘Delivering for Good’ initiative. The company uses its expertise in shipping and logistics to connect organizations, communities and individuals with the resources they need through charitable shipping and cash donations.