Stanbic masks ministry of finance

LUSAKA, ZAMBIA – Stanbic Bank Zambia has presented the Ministry of Finance with 1,000 facemasks to help the ministry guard against the spread of COVID-19.

The bank has also presented 30 foot-operated hand washing basins to Lusaka City Council and a further 20 to the Kafue District Commissioner.

Since the virus reached Zambian soil earlier this year, Stanbic Bank has been one of the most active corporate institutions on the frontlines of the country’s fight against the pandemic.

The bank’s intervention approach is set on multiple fronts including health, customer assistance, trade and economic sustainability, said Stanbic Bank Zambia Chief Executive Leina Gabaraane.

“As Zambia’s largest bank, our obligation during this pandemic stretches beyond putting in place measures to prevent the spread of the disease in our branches. We have taken steps to help the Ministry of Health expand its capacity to deal with the virus by donating high-tech respirators worth US$31,500 (ZMW 504,000), and we will continue to engage the ministry on various possible ways we could lend a hand.

“It must be noted that the virus’ effects go beyond a global health crisis; it has stifled trade and other economic activities resulting in dramatic contractions in many people’s income. In this light, we have provided loan relief packages to our clients among other personalised assistance to help see them through the outbreak.

“Further, we are also helping entrepreneurs whose businesses rely on imports to maintain access to their supply chains via various platforms including our Africa- China trade corridor.”

“We hope this small donation will help our courageous and selfless leaders stay safe as they work tirelessly to stop the spread of the virus,” Mr Gabaraane said.