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Sony launches $100 million Covid-19 Global Relief Fund
Sony Corporation today announced the launch of a $100 million global relief fund to support those impacted by the Covid-19 virus around the world. The announcement from Tokyo is on top of a number of initiatives already supported by Sony companies in China, the US and UK among other territories.
This new $100 m fund will be split into support for three core areas: frontline medical staff and key workers fighting the virus worldwide, children and teachers facing challenges from school closures and relief for members of the creative community who have been impacted by the virus.
As part of its fund, Sony will devote $10 million to the Covid-19 Solidarity response fund for the World Health Organisation (WHO) in partnership with the UN Foundation and Swiss Philanthropy Foundation, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Sony Corp employs more than 110,000 people in their different divisions around the world and will match staff donations for pandemic response efforts. The company will also explore ways to leverage Sony technologies to support teachers and educational activities, including coding and programming tools and free entertainment content for children.
“As a global company I believe we have an important responsibility to society, and that is why we have taken the decision to establish this Global Relief Fund,” said Kenichiro Yoshida, President and CEO of Sony Corporation. “I hope that through this fund we can support those on the frontlines of the battle against Covid-19, and that as a creative entertainment company with a solid foundation of technology, we can help restore peace of mind, and once again contribute to filling the world with emotion.”
Rob Stringer, Chairman of Sony Music Group said, “The level of collaboration between the Music Group and Sony Corp to develop this initiative has been inspiring teamwork-wise, but I want to assure you that these steps are just the beginning of our response efforts.
Our artists and songwriters haven’t skipped a beat, teaming up with a number of global charities to raise money with concerts livestreamed from their living rooms as they encourage fans to donate to regional and international relief efforts. It’s a reminder of the power of music to bring people together and through hard times.”