Sony Corporation announced its latest establishment, the “Sony Global Relief Fund for COVID-19,” a $100 fund to provide relief to those around the world who are affected by the coronavirus. Through this fund, Sony will raise money to assist those who are engaged in frontline medical and first responder efforts against the virus, support children and educators who much work and attend school online, and support for members of the creative community in the entertainment industry, which has been greatly affected by the virus.
"Sony extends its condolences to the families of those who have passed away as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, and extends its sympathies to all those who have been impacted,” President and CEO, Kenichiro Yoshida said. “In order to overcome the unprecedented challenges that as a society we now face around the world, we will do all we can as a global company to support the individuals on the frontlines of the battle against COVID-19, the children who are our future, and those who have been impacted in the creative community."
$10 million of the money raised from the fund will be devoted to medical support and will supply WHO, powered by the UN Foundation and Swiss Philanthropy Foundation, as well as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to assist medical workers on the frontline to respond to efforts more effectively. Sony will also work with its external partners to explore ways that it can help prevent further spread of the virus.
In terms of education, Sony plans to forms ways to leverage its technologies in support of educational activities for children who are losing educational opportunities as a result of school closures. The company also hopes to cooperate with educators to implement these measures. For the creative community, such as the music, picture, games and animation industries. Additionally, Sony announced that employees will have the ability to provide their support through a matching gift program. The company will continue to work together with its partners and stakeholders to explore ways to further expand these initiatives.