Alibaba Group is joining the fight against the deadly coronavirus outbreak with a new platform that helps connect regions in need of medical supplies like face masks and respirators as global shortages of the essential items continue.

Axar.az reports citing foreign media that the platform was started earlier this month and was designed to connect medical suppliers with buyers like hospitals located in areas of China that have been hit hardest by the virus. In an open letter, Alibaba urged suppliers to partner with them to provide and transport essential items including respirators, face masks, protective suits, thermometers, disinfectants, and gloves.

Alibaba is covering purchases of the supplies and overseeing shipping logistics using a fund of more than $140 million established on January 25 to fight the coronavirus. According to Alizila, as of February 3, the company had delivered self-purchased and donated medical items from 15 countries to 18 hospitals in the provinces of Hubei, Zhejiang, and Anhui.