Ready-to-wear brand DeFacto, which announced that it would support the ‘Biz Bize Yeteriz Türkiyem’ (We Are Enough for Each Other, My Türkiye) campaign, announced that it will donate 1 million masks. Having recently announced that it had begun distributing clothing sets to meet the daily needs of healthcare workers, DeFacto has now announced that it has started producing antibacterial masks, which are vital in preventing the spread of the epidemic. The brand announced that it will support the ‘Biz Bize Yeteriz Türkiyem’ campaign with 1 million reusable antibacterial masks, determined by the Ministry of Health and compliant with international standards.
ANTIBACTERIAL MASKS WILL BE PRODUCED
The statement said: “The 1 million reusable antibacterial masks, to be produced in DeFacto factories in line with international standards, will be delivered to the Ministry of Health free of charge. The masks will be distributed to citizens aged 20-65 under the coordination of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure. DeFacto had begun distributing clothing sets to hospitals to meet the daily needs of healthcare workers. In this context, a total of 3 thousand product sets were sent to Başakşehir State Hospital, Bağcılar Training and Research Hospital and Küçükçekmece Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Training and Research Hospital. The product sets are delivered every day to more than 500 healthcare workers across Istanbul.”
INCREASED EMPLOYMENT FOR ONLINE CHANNELS
While efforts were made to slow the spread of the epidemic through ‘social isolation’, measures were stepped up in many sectors, from transportation to services, from education to production. The statement continued: “DeFacto prioritized the health and safety of customers, employees, suppliers and all segments of society. The company, which temporarily closed its stores and continued its operations through online channels under the highest hygienic conditions, increased its employment rather than reducing it in order to support Türkiye’s economic strength and social health.”
“WE ARE DOING OUR PART”
Commenting on the matter, DeFacto CEO İhsan Ateş said: “The COVID-19 epidemic is a situation the modern world is facing for the first time. Since no institution or country has had recent experience with such an epidemic, we have no ready-made prescription to apply. However, our greatest support is our spirit of solidarity. We will overcome this period together, shoulder to shoulder. The experience we gain will be the most important legacy we leave to the future. As DeFacto, we are aware of our responsibilities. For the safety and health of our employees, we have taken maximum health and safety measures at all our sites. We paid the salaries of all our employees in full. Moreover, because we believe in our country’s economic potential, we increased our employment rather than reducing it. We have continued, and will continue, to contribute by prioritizing the health and safety of our customers, employees, suppliers and all segments of society. With all our strength and determination, and by giving all the support we can, we have complete faith that we will reach healthy and brighter days. On this occasion, I would like to thank once again all the healthcare workers who are selflessly doing their duty.”
