GUANGZHOU, April 30 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) has launched a global humanitarian hub in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou to help the global fight against COVID-19.
Established earlier this month, the hub will support the global COVID-19 emergency response for the international community, including the UN, national governments and other humanitarian partners, according to the WFP.
It will provide strategic sourcing and stock consolidation services, facilitate the movement of life-saving humanitarian cargo, and operate aviation services to transport humanitarian workers.
The first consignment of humanitarian cargo consisting of COVID-19 medical supplies has arrived at the Guangzhou hub, from where it will be shipped to other UN hubs worldwide as well as directly to virus-affected countries and regions,
"With its leading manufacturing industry, supply chain expertise and technological innovations, China is uniquely advantaged to host this global humanitarian hub which will play a catalytic role in responding to COVID-19," said WFP's Country Director in China Qu Sixi.
As one of WFP's global network of humanitarian hubs, the one in Guangzhou is supported by Alibaba Group's Cainiao Smart Logistics Network.
"We will fully leverage our global logistics resources to support WFP in facilitating the safe and fast delivery of humanitarian goods," said James Zhao, general manager of Cainiao Global Supply Chain.