06 October 2020
In the presence of Marc Elvinger, president of Friendship Luxembourg and Luc Scheer, member of the Luxembourg Red Cross’ board of directors, Friendship Luxembourg handed over 5000 masks made in Bangladesh to the beneficiaries of the Luxembourg Red Cross “Butteker”, or social grocery shops. On this occasion, the law firms Elvinger Hoss Prussen and Allen & Overy also gifted a total of 1,000 additional masks.
The Friendship organisation, which is mainly active in Bangladesh, has committed to offering masks to the beneficiaries of the Luxembourg Red Cross Butteker by selling masks in its pop-up store, located on the Grand-Rue in Luxembourg City, which was open from 22 January until 3 October. Each mask bought for 4 euros made it possible to give a mask to a vulnerable person in Luxembourg and Bangladesh.
The success of this operation enabled Friendship to donate 5,000 masks on Friday 2 October at the Buttek in Mersch. These masks are to be distributed to the beneficiaries of the Luxembourg Red Cross’ eight Butteker . Marc Elvinger explains: “For once, we are facing a health crisis that is common not only to both Luxembourg and Bangladesh – but beyond to the whole world. Even if not everyone is affected in the same way, it seemed natural to us in these circumstances to carry out our action in such a way that it benefits the vulnerable people in Bangladesh and Luxembourg at the same time. Our collaboration with the Red Cross enables us to do this in an exemplary way”.
Luc Scheer, member of the Luxembourg Red Cross’ board of directors, warmly thanked Friendship saying: “Wearing masks is still relevant in Luxembourg. Thanks to Friendship’s initiative, vulnerable people whose family budget is under strain can also do so. We are thankful for this show of solidarity, which is essential in the current health context.” Isabelle Treillard, manager of the Buttek in Mersch, said: “The beneficiaries of our shpo are very grateful to be receiving these masks free of charge; they will be of great use to them on a daily basis to protect themselves and their loved ones.” Elvinger Hoss Prussen and Allen & Overy completed this donation by giving an additional 1,000 masks to the beneficiaries of the Luxembourg Red Cross Butteker.
One of Friendship’s projects involves teaching women from the poorest and most isolated communities in Bangladesh to weave and sew in order to provide them with income opportunities.
Through the No business as usual project, Friendship enables companies to acquire quality protective masks all the while ensuring a dignified income for women in remote communities in northern Bangladesh.
To find out more about the project visit: https://friendship.ngo/no-business-as-usual-des-masques-de-protection-pour-tous/