Google Provides IDR 261 Billion Funds To Help India Handle COVID-19 Cases

Google office illustration (Photo by Cess Eid on Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Google stated that they will provide support in the form of funds to India because COVID-19 cases continue to increase every day. The fund is claimed to be $ 115 million or equivalent to IDR 261 billion.

Through the Google Ad Grants program, which is a program devoted to helping non-profit or non-profit organizations, Google is donating $ 115 million, and $ 2.6 million will be sent from Google's philanthropic arm, Google.org to GiveIndia and UNICEF.

According to a Google report, the funds for GiveIndia will be used to provide cash assistance to families most affected by COVID-19 and it will help them cover their daily expenses.

Meanwhile, the funds sent to UNICEF will be used to secure medical supplies such as oxygen and test kits, so that they can be sent to places where they are most needed. Today, many hospitals in India have reached capacity and oxygen is scarce.

"I hope the situation will turn around for our country soon, but as we have learned during this pandemic, hope alone is not enough. At Google, we'll continue to work with governments, partners, and local communities to give people the tools to stay healthy and safe. We will go through this difficult time together", said Country Head & VP of Google India, Sanjay Gupta, as quoted by Neowin, Wednesday, April 28.

Not only that, but Google employees also collected money. So far, 900 Google employees have donated $ 500,000 to organizations that help support Google, and are in high-risk and marginalized communities.

Apart from materials, through many Google products, smartphones in India can also access COVID-19 information, browsers, Maps, YouTube, and advertisements. These features are also available in English and eight Indian languages to reach as many people as possible.

The Google service shows a variety of information including places to be tested and vaccinated and advertising space allows the government to spread its message more easily. YouTube also has steps to increase authoritative information while reducing misinformation.