ACT Sent Masks to Various Country to Anticipate Coronavirus Outbreak

ACTNews, JAKARTA - Aksi Cepat Tanggap (ACT) sent the first batch of mask aid to Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan on Sunday (2/9). This assistance is an effort to anticipate the transmission of the new Coronavirus (Covid-19) in high risk countries.

Sucita Ramadinda from the Global Humanity Response (GHR) - ACT explained, last Sunday, ACT sent 1,610 boxes of masks with 1,210 boxes sent to Hong Kong, 300 boxes to Taiwan, and 100 boxes to Singapore. Since last Thursday, ACT has been searching of masks to be sent to Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore and Taiwan.

"Alhamdulillah, we sent the first batch of aid on Sunday night to Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore. Insha Allah, we will continue to search for masks for the next batch so we can serve more of our brothers and sisters," Sucita said.

Aksi Cepat Tanggap Volunteers preparing the masks that are to be sent to a number of countries, Sunday (2/9). (ACTNews)

She said, the amount of the masks sent in the first batch was only 65% ​​of the total target of masks that are to be sent, which are 2,500 boxes. According to Sucita, this is because the price of masks has doubled in a matter of hours.

"Almost all sellers use the auction system, not “first come first served” system. Whoever can pay the highest is preferred. They don’t care whether the masks are to be sold again or for humanitarian assistance," explained Sucita. ACT also continues its endeavors to provide the best assistance in anticipating the outbreak of COVID-19.

World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 45,171 COVID-19 cases were recorded globally as of 12 February with 1,114 deaths in China. The highest number of cases are still recorded in Hubei Province, where the virus was first detected. As of Wednesday (2/12), there were 33,366 confirmed cases, 11,295 suspected cases, and over a thousand deaths. Besides China, cases of Coronavirus infection were also reported in 24 other countries.

WHO has officially renamed the virus to "COVID-19" to avoid references to specific geographical locations, animal species, or groups. "CO" stands for "Corona", "VI" for "virus", "D" for "disease", and "19" is for the year the outbreak was first identified on December 31, 2019. []