Tech Billionaires' Contributions In The Fight Against COVID-19

Harin - Mar 19, 2020

In response to WHO’s call for the world to join hands, many tech billionaires have contributed their efforts in the fight against COVID-19.

Ever since COVID-19 broke out from Wuhan, China at the end of December 2019 until now, the disease has spread to over 160 countries around the world with more than 219,000 confirmed cases and over 8,900 deaths. On March 11, the World Health Organization officially declared COVID-19 as a pandemic, calling the world to join hands.

In response to WHO’s call, many tech billionaires have contributed their efforts in the fight against COVID-19.

1. Jack Ma, co-founder and former CEO of Alibaba Group, China

Being the most active in the fight against COVID-19, on January 30, the Chinese billionaire donated 100 million Yuan or around $14 billion for the development of the COVID-19 vaccine in China.

After that, he continued to donate $2,15 billion for the Australian-based Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, also for the research of the COVID-19 vaccine.

And just recently, on his Twitter, the former CEO of Alibaba wrote that he had 1 million face masks and 500,000 testing kits to the US. BBC reports that besides the US, Jack Ma will also donate face masks and medical equipment to Japan, South Korea, and some European countries.

2. Bill Gates, the second richest billionaire in the world

According to Forbes, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has announced that it will donate $100 million to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Through this foundation, the famous billionaire wants to support the building of healthcare infrastructure in Africa and South Asia and fund the research and development of a vaccine.

3. Michael Dell, CEO of Dell Technologies

The CEO of Dell Technologies, through a blog post, announced that the company had donated $284,000 to fund in-demand materials which include surgical masks, eye protectors and protective clothing for local hospitals in China.

Another $3 million has been set aside to donate for other COVID-worthy causes globally.

4. Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook

Facebook has donated $20 million to support global relief efforts. $10 million is for the Solidarity Response Fund of the United Nations Foundation and the World Health Organization. And $10 million if for the CDC Foundation.