JEDDAH — Aramco Americas, a subsidiary of Saudi Aramco based in the United States, has extended a helping to the US city of Houston as the metropolis battles to combat coronavirus.

The company has donated 30,000 masks for first responders fighting the deadly virus.

“We are supporting efforts to protect fire, police and health responders in Houston through a donation of 30,000 KN95 masks to help the city of Houston and Mayor Sylvester Turner,” the company said in a tweet.

Accepting the donation, Mayor Turner said: “We know that medical supplies and protective equipment, like these masks, are in short supply throughout the US.” “We are fortunate to have a great corporate citizen like Aramco utilizing its procurement and global supply chain to source this quantity of masks, during this challenging time.”

The donation will be administered through the Houston Health Foundation and the Houston Health Department, the mayor added.

Turner noted that Aramco works side-by-side with local government and other charitable organizations to address a number of issues including education, hunger and environmental protection.

Meanwhile, Mohammed Alshammari, President and CEO, Aramco Americas said: “The safety of our employees and the community is a top priority for us. Houston has been our headquarters home for nearly 50 years.

“This donation is one of the ways we are looking to help the City during these challenging and uncertain times, ” Alshammari added.