This project will support the production of FDA-approved protective masks, produced by Protec, our social enterprise in Vietnam that employs individuals with disabilities, to address the continuous need for personal protective equipment in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The masks will be distributed to help vulnerable communities that are heavily impacted by the pandemic in Asia and other parts of the world.
As the COVID-19 crisis progresses and takes its toll on the world, we continue to experience an urgent need for personal protective gear. This has particularly impacted vulnerable communities resulting in higher risk of infection. As the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to rise, immediate supply of protective masks are vital to slowing the spread for overloaded healthcare systems around the world.
In response to the overwhelming demand for personal protective masks during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, AIP Foundation and its social enterprise Protec, a helmet manufacturer in Vietnam, will leverage specialized production lines in Vietnam to produce personal face masks in the next two years to address shortages in high-need communities.
Within the first two years of this project, it is expected that 5 million personal protective masks will be produced, reducing the burden on supply chains in impacted countries and freeing up resources to be mobilized in the fight against COVID-19. Additionally, this project empowers Protec's disabled workforce who have become inspired to be a part of the solution and save lives globally.
