Lafarge Egypt launched on Monday the second phase of its initiative to help healthcare providers in Egypt, dedicating 20,000 face masks for the public hospitals combating coronavirus in Kafr El-Sheikh governorate.The company also provided 15,000 face masks for Imbaba Fever Hospital. Through the initiative's first phase, Lafarge Egypt had offer 22,000 face masks for the safety of the medical staff in the public hospitals of El-Gharbeya and El-Sharkeya Governorates, including Basyoun Central Hospital, Fever Hospital, and El-Zagazig Hospital for Chest Diseases. The initiative began last April in Suez, as the company contributed with disinfectants and face masks for the healthcare staff in the city during the first wave of the pandemic. In May and June, Lafarge collaborated with the Egyptian Food and Cure Banks to support the irregular staff and participate in repairing ventilators in public hospitals. The company asserted in a statement it is working to support the neighbouring community to its plant in Ain El Sokhna, and around the concrete stations, taking into consideration that Lafarge Egypt's concrete is integrated in several of national mega projects in Egypt, including the Grand Museum, Cairo Metro, and the Iconic Tower, one of 20 towers to be built in New Administrative Capital's Business Neighbourhood. Solomon Baumgartner Aviles, CEO of Lafarge Egypt, said: "We are honoured to contribute to protecting medical care providers in public hospitals, knowing that they are the community's first line of defence against coronavirus." Aviles added that, "this initiative complements Lafarge Egypt's ongoing efforts to support the Egyptian community since the virus outbreak last March, aligning with the company's aim to promote health and safety. Lafarge Egypt Has provided public hospitals with thousands of face masks, through the first and second phase of its initiative." Moreover, Lafarge Egypt said it had reinforced its social health programmes to serve more than 51,013 beneficiaries in 2020, through medical convoys which offer proper health care and supply necessities to combat coronavirus. Major General Jamal Nour El-Din, Governor of Kafr El-Sheikh, emphasised the prominence of joining forces between the private sector, civil society and the government. He commended Lafarge Egypt's commitment to social responsibility to support health care entities, expressing his deep gratitude for providing face masks to Kafr El-sheikh's health administration. He also urged Egyptian citizens to follow precautionary measures, preventing the spread of the virus. For the second consecutive year, Lafarge Egypt is collaborating with Association des Anciennes du Collège de la Mère de Dieu for Community Development to distribute face masks, supporting public hospitals in the battle against the virus.
