Over the past several weeks the world has been completely turned upside down by the novel coronavirus. COVID-19 has overwhelmed hospitals and healthcare organizations in countries across the globe, with one of the hardest hit being Spain with more than 180,000 confirmed cases. When our team in Spain was approached about how they can help during this unprecedented time they wanted to do something that would assist those on the frontlines.

Since many of the healthcare facilities in Spain were overflowing with COVID-19 patients, causing the need to build temporary hospitals to care for those patients who could not be treated in the regular hospitals, the team felt that it was important that these temporary hospitals have the power supplies that they need to operate critical equipment. So they decided to donate 500 mobile power banks to help medical staff, ambulance workers, medical assistants, patients, and the Spanish army, who is in charge of building the hospitals, power the various medical equipment and other appliances in these temporary facilities during this time of need.

The team coordinated with a local supplier in Spain so that the power supplies could be quickly deployed to the needed facilities. The order was quickly turned around and delivered to the Ribbon team just prior to Easter weekend, but they needed to be charged. The local team spent the Easter holiday charging the power supplies and they were ready to be delivered on the Tuesday following Easter weekend.

After consulting with the Spanish Health Department, they recommended dividing the power supplies up and sending them to hospitals where they are currently most needed since there are shortages system-wide. Emergency Rooms across the country are still overflowing with patients and many are in need of these types of power supplies.

The first 120 power banks are being delivered to the Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda (HUPHM) in northern Madrid. In addition, 120 power banks are being sent to Hopital Universitario La Paz, and 80 each to Hospital de Murcia and Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor and the rest will be distributed to other local facilities in need.

This is just one of countless examples of how Ribbon employees around the world are stepping up to try to do their part in helping to get through this very trying and challenging period. Ribbon and ECI employees have a long history of giving back to their communities and helping out in times of need and I could not be prouder of how they continue to exemplify the true spirit of kindness, generosity and selflessness. I would like to recognize the local team in Madrid with special thanks to Nagore Iturbe, Iñaki Fernandez, Juan Martin and Roberto Perez Garcia