Donated 1,248 test kits and 10,000 masks to help overcome the global calamity

A novel coronavirus spread throughout the world, and each country came to be in a state of emergency. Since there is no vaccine for treating COVID-19, quarantine supplies such as masks for minimizing damage from the coronavirus and test kits for determining one’s status of infection have become important resources.

In Laos with 7.3 million people, the first confirmed case of COVID-19 occurred on March 24, and 19 people were diagnosed with the virus infection by May 1. This looks like a small number, but only 2,200 tests on the coronavirus have been done, and more people with the viral symptoms are regularly appearing. So it is unclear whether this virus got completely eradicated.

Test kits made in Korea and boxes of masks, which are arranged by the WeLoveU Foundation for combating COVID-19 in Laos

The Lao government set out to secure quarantine supplies while remaining in tension by banning foreigners from entering the country. The Intl. WeLoveU Foundation decided to donate test kits and masks to Laos after discussing with the embassy of Laos.

To support COVID-19 response efforts, Intl. WeLoveU Foundation (Honorary Chairwoman Zahng Gil-Jah), an UN DGC associated NGO, held donation ceremony of quarantine supplies at the head office of Lao Front for National Development (LFND) on May 9, 2020.
The WeLoveU Foundation’s COVID-19 quarantine supply donation ceremony was held at the head office of Lao Front for National Development

On May 9, 1,248 test kits made in Korea and 10,000 masks were delivered to Laos through a chartered plane. Two days later from then, the donation ceremony was held at the head office of Lao Front for National Development. About 30 people attended this event, including Chairperson Saysomphone Phomvihane and Vice-Chairperson Somok Kingsada of Lao Front for National Development, and Health Minister Bunkong Sihavong. That day, Chairperson Saysomphone Phomvihane delivered the supplies donated by the WeLoveU Foundation to Health Minister Bunkong Sihavong. The donated supplies will be delivered to medical teams so that they may use them to combat and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Vice-Chairperson Somok Kingsada expressed gratitude to the WeLoveU Foundation, saying, “I’m indescribably happy to receive unexpected, precious support. Many countries around the world really want to have access to Korean test kits, and we, too, wanted that. I was very surprised that an NGO would do such a difficult task for us. We will use these test kits in the most effective way for important things.”

COVID-19 test kits that were delivered to the Department of Health
The Department of Health is testing the COVID-19 test kits
The Department of Health is testing the COVID-19 test kits
COVID-19 test kits that were delivered to the Department of Health

The relationship between the WeLoveU Foundation and Laos began in 2010 when the WeLoveU donated educational supplies to and installed water pumps in Bannun. At the time of the dam collapse in 2018, the members helped the flood victims with over 1,700 man-days by running a free meal service camp and the “WeLoveU” school. Even after that, the Lao ambassador to Korea and government officials maintained a close relationship with the WeLoveU by participating in WeLoveU’s annual events such as the New Life Family Walkathon and the New Life Concert.

The fear of getting infected with the virus dispersed the people, but people came to look after one another with care with one mind. Through this aid, we hope that Korea and Laos will together eradicate COVID-19. The WeLoveU Foundation will continue to take steps for the health and safety of the members of the global village.