On behalf of the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Acting Director-General Daniel Hung of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Atlanta donated 80,000 surgical masks and 10,000 N95 masks to the State of Alabama on May 28th. The donation was received by Alabama Secretary of Commerce Greg Canfield. This donation was shipped directly from Taiwan to the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) to support frontline medical personnel.
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey sent a letter to President Tsai Ing-wen. In her letter, Governor Ivey expressed her heartfelt gratitude for Taiwan’s assistance in providing critical Personal Protective Equipment to the State of Alabama. Governor Ivey lauded Taiwan and Alabama’s long-standing relationship centering around economic development, cultural and educational activities, and exchange. She also expressed that, “With the outbreak of outbreak of COVID-19, we are reminded of the importance of these global relationships.”
Taiwan has already donated over 33 million masks to heavily impacted countries and regions since April. This donation was a part of Taiwan’s fourth wave of humanitarian efforts and global partnership, which included about 9 million masks to the United States and a total of 90,000 to Alabama specifically.
Acting Director-General Hung, Deputy Director Tony Tai, and TECO’s Economic Division Director Martin Chen witnessed the donation ceremony together with Alabama Secretary of Commerce Greg Canfield, ADECA Director Kenneth W. Boswell, and Alabama Emergency Management Agency Director Brian Hasting.
