China News Agency, Beijing, December 11 (Reporter Wu Kan) Every Sunday afternoon, there are masks and traditional Chinese medicine piled up in front of Fuwang Supermarket in Once District of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Anti-epidemic materials such as, hand sanitizer, and protective masks are available to local people for free.
This is a charity material distribution event organized by the Argentine Chinese community. Since October, more than ten events have been held in succession. The charity materials are all donated by Chinese businessmen, Chinese communities, and Chinese volunteer teams in Argentina.
Every day when the supplies are distributed, nearby residents will form a long line to pick it up, including not only Chinese compatriots, but also many local people.
“The outbreak in Argentina lasted for more than nine months. A large number of factories and shops closed down, causing many people’s lives to be in trouble and urgently needed food and protective equipment.” said He Wenqiang, chief convener of the Argentine Overseas Chinese Anti-epidemic Committee, except for distributing to the people on the street. Materials, masks and food have recently been donated to local governments, police stations, and community canteens, etc., to cope with the epidemic together with local people.
The current epidemic is still spreading around the world. While overseas Chinese are abiding by local regulations to prevent the epidemic, they also continue to donate money and materials to the country they live in to help the "second home" fight the epidemic.
"After the outbreak of the epidemic in Botswana at the end of March, we launched an initiative in the overseas Chinese community to donate money and materials to the local area. Up to now, we have raised nearly 10 million yuan in cash and anti-epidemic materials, which have been donated to the national health department and the Anti-epidemic Foundation. , Hospitals, police stations, etc." said Nan Gengxu, president of the Botswana China Association for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification.
Nan Gengxu introduced that more than 1,000 overseas Chinese in Botswana participated in the donation this time, including Chinese business entrepreneurs, Chinese teachers, Chinese restaurant owners, factory workers, etc., and many Chinese children donated their own lucky money.
"The epidemic in Botswana is still serious. The government has been actively fighting the epidemic. Next, we will also go to the local poor villages to deliver supplies to the elderly and children."
In Yangon, Myanmar, the Myanmar Chinese Chamber of Commerce donated 500 million kyats to the National Central Committee for the Prevention and Control of New Coronary Pneumonia at the end of November, and donated 200 million kyats to the Yangon Province New Coronary Pneumonia Prevention and Emergency Response Committee for hospitals. upgrade.
Lin Wenmeng, the chairman of the Myanmar Chinese Chamber of Commerce, said that the Chamber of Commerce launched a donation initiative to members on October 20 and raised more than 830 million kyats in just over ten days.
"The current situation of the outbreak in Myanmar is still not optimistic, and we will continue to fund the construction of local cabin hospitals."
The Federation of Chinese Associations in New Zealand donated ambulances to charities, the Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce in the United States presented 50,000 masks to the Los Angeles Police Department, the South African Chinese Mall donated 40,000 rand supplies to impoverished communities, and the proprietress of the Toronto “Van City Restaurant” provided them to the neighborhood Loving Chinese Food... These kind deeds carry the love and responsibility of overseas Chinese for the "second hometown", and also inject a warm force into the war epidemic.
The actions of overseas Chinese in helping the distressed and needy have won the recognition of the local government and people.
Nan Gengxu told reporters that Botswana’s Vice President Schlumberg Tsogwane once praised the Chinese as an outstanding member of the Botswana people and set a good example for other ethnic groups.
“The activity of the Chinese News Agency in Argentina to distribute charitable supplies has been welcomed and praised by the people.” He Wenqiang said that when Argentine friends received masks, they said that in the case of such a shortage of epidemic prevention materials, the Chinese gave out their own supplies to everyone. The generosity and atmosphere are admirable.
Lin Wenmeng said that the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Myanmar has been highly appraised by the Myanmar government, and the local mainstream media also reported the donation actions of the Chinese.
"Our chamber of commerce has a history of 110 years in the local area. We have always been enthusiastic about public welfare and charity. During the epidemic, we should shoulder our social responsibilities and tide over the difficulties with the local people." (End)