TikTok has recently announced in a blog post that it will donate a sum of $10 million to the World Health Organization’s(WHO) Solidarity Response Fund that is responsible for helping WHO to accomplish a task such as dispatching essential supplies to healthcare workers on the frontline, to ensure that communities have access to latest-science based information and those related with the development of vaccines and treatments.
President Alex Zhu of TikTok wrote in a blog post, “In this time of global distress and concern about the impact of Covid-19, we’ve been inspired by people in towns and cities everywhere whose fundamental humanity is shining through when we need it most—people serenading across quarantined buildings; neighbours delivering food and medicine to those who cannot leave their homes; global outpourings of empathy and support for grieving families. This humanity transcends borders and backgrounds, and we’re moved by how people are sharing their strength when we need it most.”
The company is also sending donations made by employees to WHO and other organizations such as the Red Cross. It was reported that the China-based organization donated $3 million last week to After-School All-Stars, an organization founded by famous Hollywood actor and former California Governor, Arnold Schwarzenneger that is aimed to help children who are missing out on mid-day meals due to the closure of schools.
Commenting on the effort and support showered by TikTok in these times of peril, United Nations Foundation president and CEO Elizabeth Cousens said, “TikTok’s extraordinarily generous contribution to the World Health Organization’s global effort is a perfect example of that. Now is the time for all individuals and companies to come together and fight this virus—because the case for cooperation simply couldn’t be clearer.”
Zhu concluded the post by writing, “One thing every single person can do to help our health care heroes is to reduce our own risk of infection. Please, listen to and abide by the guidance being offered by your local government. If you’ve been advised to shelter in place or to avoid crowds, do so. Maintain hygiene as rigorously as you possibly can.”
