Atlanta, Apr 21, 2020 – On behalf of the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Acting Director-General Daniel Hung of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Atlanta (TECO in Atlanta) donated 100,000 medical masks to the State of Georgia.
The donation was delivered from Taiwan directly to the medical warehouse of the Georgia Department of Public Health in Kennesaw, where it was received by Deputy Director Charles Dawson of Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security (GEMA), who has been tasked with distributing the masks to front line medical personnel.
Governor Brian Kemp of Georgia sent a letter to President Tsai Ing-wen, in which he thanked Taiwan for its generous donation of medical equipment. Governor Kemp expressed that “it is the long-standing friendships we have with international partners like Taiwan that will help us confront and overcome this pandemic.” He also praised President Tsai “It is an honor to stand alongside you as you continue to set the standard for camaraderie and support within the international community.”
Governor Kemp also looked to the future of the international partnership, asking “how the State of Georgia can further support [Taiwan’s] efforts.”
U.S. Senator Kelly Leoffler of Georgia thanked President Tsai Ing-wen and the people of Taiwan for donating 100,000 masks for hospitals across the Peach State. Senator Leoffler stated in her press release: “For over 40 years, the people of Georgia and Taiwan have enjoyed a special relationship and I appreciate Taiwan offering a helping hand at such a difficult time.”
Senator David Perdue of Georgia also posted recognition on Twitter on April 10th, thanking Taiwan for its assistance to the State of Georgia.
Georgia State Representative Matt Dollar and State Senator Brandon Beach each expressed thankfulness for Taiwan’s donation as well. Representative Dollar said he was “incredibly grateful” and that the “medical face masks will allow Georgians who are working on the front lines to combat COVID-19 to continue to serve our state. This donation from the Taiwanese people is an important reminder that no matter where we are, we are all in this fight together.”
This donation was a part of Taiwan’s second wave of humanitarian assistance and global partnership, which included 6 million masks globally, 1 million of which went to the United States and 100,000 to Georgia specifically.
Acting Director-General Daniel Hung of TECO in Atlanta expressed that Taiwan recognizes the drastic impact of COVID-19 in Georgia, which led to this donation to assist healthcare workers.
As President Tsai Ing-wen stated in her interview with Time Magazine, “COVID-19 is a humanitarian disaster that requires the joint efforts of all countries.” Hence, Taiwan is pleased to fulfill President Tsai’s promise of helping its international partners who are in urgent need of supplies.
In late March, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office began to contact the Governor's Office and legislative leaders to inquire about the quantity of personal protective equipment needed in Georgia. TECO in Atlanta then reported relevant information back to Taipei in preparation for the provision of such medical equipment.
