China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation (“CFPA”) notes that Teck Resources Limited (“Teck”) recently announced that it will donate CAD$1 million to support the efforts to contain and mitigate the impact of COVID-19. The funding will support the provision of urgently needed medical supplies, equipment and training for healthcare and social workers in China and the East Asia region, as well as longer term care for some of the most vulnerable in Hubei Province. The donation will be shared between UNICEF, the Canadian Red Cross, and the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation(CFPA). CAD$250,000 from Teck will support CFPA’s program addressing the long-term impact of the outbreak on vulnerable children in Hubei Province.

Facing the situation of severe prevention and control of COVID-19, CFPA have built a medical assistance system through financial support and material support and integrated more social forces and resources to establish a long-term mechanism for medical institutions to fight the epidemic. We are highlighting social responsibility with actions, paying attention to the weak links of medical treatment in poverty-stricken areas, and contributing to the fight against COVID-19.

In addition to the continuous need in Hubei and other hard-hit regions for medical supplies and equipment and support for front-line health workers, there will also be longer term needs to deal with the aftermath of this crisis, especially among children. The donation from Teck will support the training of social workers from 10 county-level organizations and provide care and psychological support to more than 30,000 children in affected rural communities.

While the full extent of the economic and social impact of COVID-19 will be unknown for some time, Teck wants to take action to support those people and areas most seriously affected and will continue to work with stakeholders in the fight against COVID-19.