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Biggest Chinese delivery provider launches national charity for riders'/drivers' children

July 17, 2019

The biggest foodservice delivery provider in the world's biggest restaurant delivery market of China is doing something pretty big for its so-called "delivery riders," the equivalent of what other nation's typically refer to as delivery drivers. Chinese e-commerce platform, Meituan, this week is launching a massive initiative to help its "riders" when their youngsters suffer severe accidents or illness. 

The business has joined with the China Charities Aid Foundation for Children and 9958 Children Aid Center of CCAFC to create and execute China's first charity project of its kind called the Baby Kangaroo Charity Project, referring to the Meituan Delivery kangaroo mascot. 

The project will provide up to 50,000 in Chinese Yuan (equal to about $7,200) to riders' whose children face serious illness or injury for medical aid. If the initial monetary aid doesn't cover the medical expense for the child, the parent rider can apply for extra support. The project will also provide access to medical resources, including psychological therapy, to help children of riders.

The project is intended to also raise social awareness about the riders' needs, according to the press release, while increasing respect and recognition for their jobs, which can be quite dangerous, particularly in large Chinese cities. 

The project was during Meituan's festival for delivery riders and their families that featured more than 2,000 delivery support stations in 84 cities nationwide, with food and drink from 727 restaurants in 79 cities. As the largest food delivery platform in China, Meituan had over 600,000 daily active riders, and more than 2.7 million riders made a living from Meituan in 2018.

Photo: Provided