Beijing (People’s Daily) - The first consignment of humanitarian cargo consisting of COVID-19 medical supplies arrived on Thursday at a Global Humanitarian Hub in China’s Guangzhou, from where it will be shipped to other UN hubs worldwide, as well as directly to affected countries and regions.

The first consignment of humanitarian cargo consisting of COVID-19 medical supplies arrives at a Global Humanitarian Hub in China’s Guangzhou on Thursday. (Photo: WFP)

Established earlier this month by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), with support from the government of China, the hub will support the global COVID-19 emergency response for the international community, including the UN, national governments and other humanitarian partners. 

WFP’s global partner Alibaba has been selected to provide commercial hub services. The hub will provide strategic sourcing and stock consolidation services as well as facilitate the movement of life-saving humanitarian cargo to countries responding to the outbreak. The hub also operates aviation services to transport humanitarian workers.