Photo: People's Daily

Yangon (People’s Daily) - Chinese charity groups on Tuesday handed over medical supplies worth of 5.5 million yuan ($780,000) to Myanmar’s health authority in Yangon to support the country’s fight against the coronavirus epidemic. 

The donation included 1.52 million surgical masks, 3,900 sets of medical protective clothing, 10,000 goggles and 1,000 infrared forehead thermometers. The donations are from the China Foundation for Peace and Development (CFPD) and other Chinese NGOs. 

The donation is also part of the Joint Action for Defeating COVID-19 within the framework of the Silk Road Community Building Initiative which was initiated by the China NGO Network for International Exchanges (CNIE). 

CNIE has coordinated international cooperation with many Chinese civil society organizations, with nearly 20 countries in the framework of joint action through donating personal protection equipment, medical devices and traditional Chinese medicine, conducting online meetings, and sharing experience on epidemic control.

Wen Desheng, chief of CFPD’s Myanmar office, said China and Myanmar are good neighbors and always help each other. Since the outbreak of the epidemic, China has received a lot of support from the Myanmar people. 

Keeping that in mind, China will be sure to reach out when Myanmar is suffering from the outbreak. Chinese civil society organizations are willing to try their best to provide assistance, Chen added. 

Chen Hai, Chinese ambassador to Myanmar, and Director General Zaw Than Tun from Myanmar’s Ministry of Health and Sports, were present at the handover ceremony.