What you need to know
- Microsoft is working to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in India.
- Along with other companies, Microsoft is helping launch the Global Task Force on Pandemic Response.
- Microsoft is also helping provide ventilators and oxygen concentration devices in India.
As the current global pandemic impacts India, Microsoft has taken several steps to help people in the community. Microsoft Philanthropies has worked with several non-profit partners and government organizations to assist with relief efforts. A Microsoft blog post outlines some of the key ways that Microsoft is helping out.
Microsoft and several other companies are helping the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Business Roundtable launch the Global Task Force on Pandemic Response. The public-private partnership provides medical supplies, oxygen, and other assistance. India is the first area that will be supported by the partnership, but it will extend to other countries in the future. Microsoft president Brad Smith is on the Steering Committee for the group.
Over 1,000 ventilators have been purchased by joint efforts of Microsoft and other companies and given to hospitals in India. As part of the task force, Microsoft is working with the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum and other companies to provide health care facilities in India 25,000 oxygen concentration devices.
Every commercial and government organization in India has free access to Microsoft Teams to help respond to the changing conditions of the pandemic. Microsoft also activated the Microsoft Disaster Response Team to provide technology support to fight the outbreak in India.
Microsoft Philanthropies also worked with India's first responder non-profits and government organizations over the last year to provide humanitarian aid, protective equipment, a mobile testing bus, and research support.
Microsoft's employee giving program has also raised over $3 million (including Microsoft's matched contributions) for organizations and non-profits working to help people in India.
