The Zubin Foundation is giving out 60,000 masks to Ethnic Minorities in Hong Kong
Challenges Ethnic Minorities Face is More Than Ever

In support of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on 21 March and to assist ethnic minorities during Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease outbreak, The Zubin Foundation (TZF) is distributing 60,000 masks to the ethnic minority communities across Hong Kong. Each registered ethnic minority individual may collect their masks at 6 designated locations in Hong Kong between 17 March (today) and 22 March (Sunday). The organisation will also set up stations at madrasahs to give out the masks after this period.

Hong Kong’s ethnic minority population represents 4% of population. One in 4 of these families lives in
poverty. Supplies to hygienic and protective products, like masks, have become tight since Chinese New
Year and the surge of price make it unaffordable for many ethnic minority families. Mr. Ahmed Raheel, a
Pakistani father living in Tuen Mun said: “The price of the masks is too high. Even though I have heard
that there are cheap or free masks available out there, I do not know where to get them as most of the
information is only available online and is in Chinese. We have 6 family members in my home and we have one box of masks at home only. We need masks and thank The Zubin Foundation for giving us masks and support other ethnic minority families,” The organisation has received many enquiries about children masks and would appreciate donations of children masks from the public.

Shalini Mahtani, CEO of The Zubin Foundation, said “ The ethnic minority working poor are facing even
more challenges at this time. We have seen an increase in calls on our women and girls crisis helpline,
Call Mira. The number one issue is the heightened anxiety around job security for male breadwinners as
businesses are making redundancies or enforcing unpaid leave. The inability to pay for masks because of
their high price is also a major source of anxiety. Families need help at this time.”

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