The coronavirus is increasingly spreading in Lebanon after the devastating explosion in Beirut on August 4th, 2020.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the country with its almost seven million inhabitants has one of the highest rates of new corona infections in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean region. Beirut has an enormous lack of face masks and other personal protection equipment to protect against the contagious disease.
Bayer is supporting the fight against the corona pandemic in Lebanon with an extensive aid package. The company is donating 50,000 FFP2-masks to the German Red Cross organization. In addition, Bayer is providing 10,000 euros in emergency aid under the COVID-19 response program to support an education campaign and the distribution of hygiene products to the population.
The total net value of the donation is around 125,000 euros.
The masks are currently being transported from Bayer’s storage facilities at the company’s site in Bergkamen, Germany to the central warehouse of the German Red Cross (DRK) in Berlin. From there the masks will be then sent and distributed to Lebanese Red Cross (LRC) humanitarian workers on the ground in Beirut.
“We stand with the Lebanese people during this challenging time. Our engagement aims to provide targeted support so that the spread of the disease does not accelerate further, which would heavily aggravate the humanitarian situation in Lebanon,” commented Henrik Wulff, Senior Bayer Representative – Middle East & Head of Bayer Pharmaceuticals Middle East.
“In view of the acute coronavirus outbreak, we focus our engagement efforts to prevent and limit the potential spread of Covid-19 in Beirut and greater Lebanon. We are happy to share our protective equipment with our disaster relief partners working on ground,” said Monika Lessl, Head of Corporate R&D and Social Innovation, Executive Director Bayer Foundation.
The aid package is one of numerous bundles of measures with which Bayer is committed to fight against the corona pandemic worldwide with its products, technical equipment, know-how, financial contributions and the engagement of its employees. For more information about Bayer’s contribution to the fight against COVID-19 click here.
