Fifty-thousand KN95 facial masks and 20,000 protective masks have arrived in Fiji to be used in the fight against Covid-19.
The Personal Protective Equipment, destined for Fiji, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia and French Polynesia was being coordinated through the Pacific Humanitarian Pathway on Covid-19, (or PHP-C).
The programme was established by the Pacific Islands Forum to ensure required medical and humanitarian personnel and equipment could efficiently reach Member countries.
The Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Meg Taylor Photo: supplied / Forum Secretariat
The donation of PPE from the Jack Ma Foundation was the first time the initiative had been used.
"Pacific countries and territories responding to Covid-19 require essential medical supplies, so we welcome this donation by the Jack Ma Foundation," said the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Dame Meg Taylor.
"The PHP-C is ensuring the smooth transport of these supplies; our Pacific region is working together and taking care of each other."
The PHP-C provided regional coordination to ensure delivery of the supplies from Shanghai to Fiji.
The PPE was to be handed over to the World Health Organisation for distribution.
45 percent of supplies are for PNG, with 10 percent each for New Caledonia, French Polynesia and Fiji.
Those countries had requested assistance.
The remaining PPE would be kept for use in other Forum member countries.