The world is facing an unprecedented threat brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. There are already thousands of confirmed cases and a growing number of casualties. Likewise, economic activities in several nations around the globe have been limited, if not suspended.
As a way to help those affected, internet giants Facebook and Google created a Response Fund Raiser for the World Health Organization (WHO).
Individuals, corporations, foundations, and other organizations around the world may aid WHO’s global work in responding to COVID-19 pandemic. People who want to donate to WHO may directly send their donations through Facebook or Google.
The fund supports WHO’s response programs in tracking and researching the spread of the virus, purchase essential supplies and information for medical frontliners; and to speed up efforts to vaccines development, tests, and treatments.
See also: List of hospitals and transport hubs with FREE WiFi in Metro Manila
Moreover, one-hundred percent (100%) of the donations will go directly to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund. In addition, Facebook stated that will match the first USD10million donation made in their fund.
Similarly, Google has partnered with World Health Organization for the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund. For every USD1 donated, Google will donate USD2 at a maximum of USD5 million.
In the Philippines, the government has declared a public health emergency with the entire Luzon under “enhanced community quarantine”. This means that public transportation and work are no longer in operation. As of writing, the country has 142 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 12 deaths.