Jumia has today donated 100,000 masks to the Ministry of Health to support the fight against Covid-19. The masks will be distributed to community health workers, who are on the front line responding to the Covid-19 cases in the country.
The donations were received by AMREF Health Africa and Red Cross, which serve under the National Response Committee.
Jumia has also offered the support of its integrated logistics network to support the distribution of essential food and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE equipment (as part of the SafeHands Coalition)
“Front line workers all across the country are protecting us and leading the fight against COVID-19. These heroes deserve our full support – and it is with this aim that we are making a small contribution to the fight. E-commerce platforms like Jumia, with cashless payments and contactless delivery capabilities, are uniquely positioned to be part of Kenya’s response strategy to this pandemic. And stand ready to serve”, said Sam Chappatee, Jumia Kenya CEO.
According to the National Response Committee, the masks will further the efforts against the spread of the virus in the country.
“The face masks will be distributed to the health workers, who are on the front line responding to suspected and confirmed cases of #COVID19,” said Dr. Githinji Gitahi, the Group CEO of Amref Health Africa.
Jumia recently also announced a number of measures to support the government in its fight against COVID-19. The measures include facilitation of social distancing by enabling consumers to buy online. As the virus continues to spread, movement has been limited and people have now been forced to turn to e-commerce retailing. The e-commerce giant also stopped the use of cash for payments with all customers now having to pay via mobile money or bank cards via JumiaPay platform. By going cashless, Jumia is eliminating physical contact and potentially reduce person to person infection.
Jumia is also providing access to affordable basic foods and sanitary essentials on their platform. It has partnered with thousands of vendors, helping to control prices and hoarding behaviour.
Othe measures include offering Jumia’s logistics networks to help distribute test kits, health pamphlets and key products to where they are needed (countrywide) as well as leveraging its team in China to source critical PPE equipment quickly and at affordable prices. So far we Jumia says it has sourced millions of masks and PPE for governments and private healthcare providers in Kenya and across Africa.
