Sony establishes $100 million global relief fund in the fight against COVID-19

The Japanese multinational conglomerate, Sony Corporation, best known by gamers for their PlayStation consoles, has stepped in the ring in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sony has established a 0 million global relief fund to support several areas of the battle against COVID-19 around the world, the company announced. 

Kenichiro Yoshida, President and CEO, Sony Corporation, said: "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.

"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."

With the Global Relief Fund from Sony, the corporation will provide support in the following areas:

• Assistance for those individuals engaged in frontline medical and first responder efforts to fight the virus.
• Support for children and educators who must now work remotely.
• Support for members of the creative community in the entertainment industry, which has been greatly impacted by the spread of the virus.

The first $10 million will go straight to the frontline in the war against COVID-19. This $10 million goes to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for the World Health Organization (WHO).

The COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund is powered by the UN Foundation and Swiss Philanthropy Foundation, as well as Médecins Sans Frontières, United Nations Children's Fund, and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. It is to assist medical workers, and others on the frontline of response to the virus.

Sony also revealed that it is working with its external partners to explore ways of supporting activities which could prevent the further spread of the virus, as well as treatment of the virus, and use its technologies to support educational activities.

Lastly, Sony's 110,000 employees across the globe will also be able to contribute to the fund via a "matching gift program".

COVID-19 situation

The Global Relief Fund from Sony can't come at a better time, as the outlook is pretty grim right now. Several countries have implemented lockdowns as part of an effort to "flatten the curve" of infections.

The World Health Organization explained on 1st of April 2020 the situation in a briefing, stating: "The number of deaths has more than doubled in the past week. In the next few days, we will reach 1 million confirmed cases, and 50 thousand deaths."

The best thing we can do right now is to stay at home, and stay safe. To help you out with that, check out our list of 10 incredibly long games to play during lockdown.

It is fantastic to see big companies like Sony step into the ring to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.