New Delhi, March 12 (IANS): Taiwan has decided to donate 10,000 N-95 masks to Gujarat and Delhi to help them combat the increasing number of swine flu cases.

N-95 is a multi-layered mask specially made to combat swine flu. The masks are designed for doctors and health workers to handle swine flu patients.

"The increase in the toll of death by the deadly H1N1 virus has been a concern throughout the country. Taiwan as a goodwill gesture to strengthen friendship and provide humanitarian support is donating 10,000 swine flu (H1N1) preventive N-95 face masks to India," said a statement from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre (TECC) in India.

It said 7,000 masks have arrived from Taipei and the remaining will arrive soon. They will be distributed in Gujarat and Delhi and the National Capital Region.

"This is a token assistance, we would like to provide help needed in preventing H1N1 in India," said Chung-Kwang Tien, representative of TECC in India.