A pillar of support for expats during the lockdown

To support Shanghai's resumption of production on June 1, The Expatriate Center, a non-profit organization that serves the expatriate community, will hold a job recruitment fair and continue to help local businesses overcome challenges brought by the latest COVID-19 outbreak.

The fair will also include an entrepreneurship competition in the coming months, said Linda Painan, chairperson of TEC.

During the lockdown of the city, TEC had provided support to more than 400 families and frontline workers in 16 districts with food packages, medical support, mental health assistance and essential items including formula milk, diapers and medication, according to Painan.

Many expats thanked the center for its efforts in a recent video published by TEC. Among them was Filipino Jovie Narciso, who said the center had helped her purchase essentials during the lockdown.

Jeongeun Kim, a Korean national, said the organization had helped her son access medical treatment during the epidemic.

Jane Zhang, general manger of e-commerce company Goodbaby, thanked the organization for connecting its baby products with the Shanghai Children's Health Foundation.

"Because of TEC, we managed to donate 50,000 diapers to the Shanghai Children's Hospital and the Shanghai Children's Medical Center to solve their diaper needs," said Zhang.

David Ingram, headmaster of Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi, said the support from the organization has helped the school secure many essential resources.

The center also made two videos to raise the spirits of the foreign community and allow expats to share their stories during the lockdown.

"We hope to spread love and kindness to every corner of this city, which we call our home away from home," said Painan.

"The power of community cannot be underestimated, and the love and bravery will help restore Shanghai to normalcy."