Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s organization, Bloomberg Philanthropies, is donating $40 million to help combat the coronavirus outbreak.
Bloomberg Philanthropies released a statement on Tuesday about the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Coronavirus Global Response Initiative explaining its purpose and how it will serve as an asset to combat the growing pandemic.
“Millions of lives depend on getting the coronavirus response right – and so does the economic and social health of communities around the world,” Bloomberg, founder of the organization, said. “We need to slow transmission of the virus and minimize the impact of the outbreak in all countries.”
Today we’re announcing a new $40 million Coronavirus Global Response Initiative. In partnership with @WHO and @VitalStrat, we’re supporting immediate action to prevent or slow the spread of #COVID19 in vulnerable low and middle income countries. https://t.co/SslaNxXIOg
— Bloomberg Philanthropies (@BloombergDotOrg) March 17, 2020
Bloomberg Philanthropies also announced a partnership with Vital Strategies and World Health Organization (WHO). It is also partnering with Dr. Tom Frieden — president and CEO of Resolve to Save Lives. Their main objective will be to help impoverished cities and countries to combat the coronavirus outbreak.
According to the press release, the funds will be used for the following purposes:
- Improve infection treatment and response efforts
- Offer training for healthcare workers with a focus on infection prevention and control
- Development and improve laboratory systems to manage and transport samples to central laboratories for coronavirus diagnosis
- Conduct rapid mobile phone surveys to evaluate the impact of social distancing measures such as school, church, and non-essential business closures and cancellations of large gatherings
- Provide communications support to share information and educational campaigns
- Provide technical assistance to health organizations both regionally and globally
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also took to Twitter to express his gratitude for Bloomberg Philanthropies’ initiative.
“An unprecedented global health crisis demands unprecedented global solidarity,” Ghebreyesus said. “I appreciate this support from Bloomberg Philanthropies to WHO and the global response effort, which will help to prevent infections and save lives.”
An unprecedented global health crisis demands unprecedented global solidarity. I appreciate this support from @MikeBloomberg and @BloombergDotOrg to @WHO and the global #COVID19 response effort, which will help to prevent infections and save lives. https://t.co/pBNzrzQZzU
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) March 17, 2020
The WHO has declared coronavirus a pandemic. As of Wednesday morning, there are more than 200,000 positive coronavirus cases across the world.
Bloomberg Philanthropies’ initiative will also complement funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation made in response to the coronavirus crisis.