The people of the United States care for the people of China. As the People’s Republic of China grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic earlier this year, U.S. companies sprang into action to provide assistance, relief and containment efforts.
From beverage companies to shipping businesses, to global banks, U.S. corporations of all kinds have donated hundreds of millions of dollars worth of equipment, medical supplies, food, water and money to the Chinese people. They have also shared their expertise with local communities across China.
Proud of our rapid facilitation of the delivery of donated life-saving personal protection equipment and medical and humanitarian relief supplies to the people affected by the #coronavirus in #China. Grateful to the generous U.S. organizations donating to the relief efforts. pic.twitter.com/wWvRuftELF
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) February 4, 2020
Early on in the crisis, FedEx and the UPS Foundation used their expertise in shipping and logistics to work with U.S.-based nonprofits to transport millions of masks, protective suits and gloves to medical workers in China.
“We will continue to work closely with humanitarian and disaster relief organizations to provide support and deliver supplies, doing what we do best to help those who need it most,” said Raj Subramaniam, president and chief operating officer of FedEx.
Coca-Cola has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars and activated its “Clean Water 24” system, which uses the Coca-Cola distribution network to deliver drinking water to people in need, such as civil service employees, medical staff and volunteers fighting the outbreak across China.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce in China said it has helped coordinate $74 million worth of donations from more than 120 companies to local communities throughout China.
“The global outbreak of the novel coronavirus has presented unprecedented challenges for many of us,” U.S. Chamber of Commerce in China said in a statement. “But the U.S. business community has responded magnificently.”
U.S. banks, such as JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs, have also pledged and donated millions of dollars to Chinese charities and relief efforts. Meanwhile, U.S. consumer products companies like Johnson & Johnson provided protective equipment and medical devices to Chinese communities.
Among the private foundations that have contributed, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation committed to donating $5 million to the COVID-19 response in China and is working with Chinese public- and private-sector partners to fight the virus.
“Every one of us has a role to play in winning this war,” President Trump said March 30, showcasing the United States’ wide-ranging efforts to stop the deadly disease. “Every citizen, family and business can make a difference in stopping the virus.”