China - Humanitarian Response to COVID-19 - Canadian Red Cross 2020

December 2019 - The Wuhan city in China reported cases of pneumonia from an unknown origin. The disease later confirmed to be a new coronavirus (COVID-19) continued to spread within China. On January 30 2020 the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak as a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern”. By February 23 2020 China reported over 77 000 cases including over 1 700 infected health workers. With GAC’s support the Canadian Red Cross is dispatching 16 tonnes of personal protective equipment to support the emergency response to the COVID-19 outbreak in China. The personal protective equipment includes clothing face shields masks goggles and gloves.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased access to critical health care by affected population; and (2) increased access to personal protective equipment by health workforce. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or acute food insecurity.