/vnd/media/agency_attachments/bGjnvN2ncYDdhj74yP9p.png)
/vnd/media/post_banners/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Sundar-Pichai-Google-for-India-2.jpg)
Amidst a devastating COVID-19 second wave which, Google on Monday announced Rs 135 crore ($18 million) help to India. This will cover urgent medical supplies, including oxygen and testing equipment, for India. Moreover, the donation includes two grants from Google.org, Google's philanthropic arm, of Rs. 20 crore in total.
Google Comes to India's Aid
Sanjay Gupta, Country Head and VP, India, said that the "first is to GiveIndia to provide cash assistance to families hit hardest by the crisis to help with their everyday expenses". Sharing the other part of the relief, he said that "second will go to UNICEF to help get urgent medical supplies, including oxygen and testing equipment, to where it's needed most in India".
Notably, this aid also includes donations from Google's ongoing employee giving campaign. Thus far, more than 900 Googlers have contributed Rs 3.7 crore. These funds are going to organizations that are supporting high-risk communities.
Right now, India is going through its most challenging phase of the pandemic. Daily reported cases continue to surge to record-breaking highs. What's worse, hospitals are rapidly filling to capacity. The stress on the medical system is unbelievable as it reels from that and suffers from shortages. Sundar Pichai, CEO, Alphabet and Google, also tweeted to announce the same.
https://twitter.com/sundarpichai/status/1386528938889908231
The funding also includes increased Advertising grant support for public health information campaigns. Gupta mentioned that an additional Rs. 112 Crore will go to local health authorities and nonprofits for better information proliferation.
The COVID features on Search are also available in India, in English and eight Indian languages. More importantly, the company said it will improve localization and highlight all information coming from the relevant authorities.
Gupta elaborated on the same, stating that Google is in the process to add vaccines sites. "We're also collaborating closely with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, and with organizations like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to support vaccine awareness initiatives," he said.