Wuhan volunteers reach out across the world to advise care groups and share coronavirus lessons
- Chinese coordinator approached to advise and guide helpers abroad as countries around the globe face distinct Covid-19 challenges
- Established organisations in Europe learn from the outbreak experience in China, including issues around rebuilding society after pandemic
In mid-March, after Wuhan had partially reopened from lockdown, Chen’s volunteer work gradually came to a halt. Then came requests from volunteers in Australia to ship masks. Gradually, requests also came from the United States and European countries.
Soon, volunteers abroad wanted to hear how Chinese volunteers had helped during the outbreak. Through Chinese residents abroad, Chen and his peers held Skype sessions with volunteers in France and Italy.
“They were at the stage where they didn’t know what to do and needed outside help,” Chen said. By that time, Chinese volunteers had already seen the light at the end of the tunnel.
In March, the Italian volunteers were in a similar situation to those in Wuhan in January when the outbreak had just started. The hospitals were jammed, resources were scarce, many patients died at home and volunteers did not know where to begin helping others or how to keep themselves safe.
