As you know, our country has done a fantastic job of responding to the initial needs related to fighting the coronavirus. We’ve been supporting Budapest Bike Maffia, that is raising the flag for one of the most vulnerable part of the society, the homeless people and to the Szt. Miklós Orphanage in Budapest, thanks to the Netherlands-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce. ING Amsterdam accepted our request to support BBM, therefore a EUR 6,000 donation has been approved already.
But the coronavirus is spreading around the world. The intense pressure we’ve seen in countries with well-developed healthcare systems shows the catastrophic impact the virus could have in countries with weak health and sanitation resources. The global community needs our support to reach the most vulnerable people, wherever they are, to halt the spread of the virus and help those affected by it.
Children and their families living in poverty are among the most vulnerable, as they’re less likely to have access to critical medical and sanitation services. Most countries have closed schools, which means that 1.5 billion students are housebound and missing out on the support services schools offer, like lunches. Even when schools reopen, there are 900 million children worldwide who can’t wash their hands with soap at their school, increasing their risk of exposure to diseases like the coronavirus.
ING wants to help. Given our 15-year partnership with UNICEF, we’ve joined together again now to raise funds for their efforts to help children and vulnerable groups across 136 countries affected by the coronavirus. This includes promoting handwashing, hygiene and social distancing to slow the virus’s transmission; providing critical medical and hygiene supplies; and ensuring continuity of health, education and social services for children and their caregivers. ING will match the funds raised up to €1 million.
What does this mean for you? That you can help if you want to. If you haven’t donated anything yet, consider donating now. If you’ve already donated, consider donating again to UNICEF to help support the world’s most vulnerable groups. You can also become an ambassador for this campaign and rally your professional and personal contacts to donate as well. ING will match each donation.
The donation page is available here.
Together we can make a difference and help some of the world’s most vulnerable groups in the fight against the coronavirus. We have forwarded this letter to our staff, clients and to our vendors also.
Kind regards,
Tibor Bodor
Country Manager, CEO
