MetLife Foundation Provides Financial Support to Help India and Bangladesh Fight COVID-19 Spread

HONG KONG--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MetLife Foundation announced today that it is donating USD1.5 million to fund targeted support in India and Bangladesh as both countries struggle to cope with the devastating wave of COVID-19 cases.

The Foundation will channel funds through its partners, including:

• Habitat for Humanity (India) – to deploy additional beds, equipment, and set-up costs for COVID-19 emergency facilities in Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh
• Healing Fields Foundation (India) – to provide tele-consultation, food supplies, medicines, and other home-isolation and management support across 300 villages in some of the most vulnerable states and districts in India
• Sajida Foundation (Bangladesh) – to support low-income families, predominantly in the capital city of Dhaka, with access to healthcare and other basic needs

Kishore Ponnavolu, President, Asia for MetLife, said: “We have all watched in grief as India and Bangladesh have been engulfed by this wave of infections and deaths. We pray that MetLife Foundation’s donations will help to alleviate some of the strain on healthcare services and bring hope to those who need it most.”

In addition to MetLife Foundation’s USD1.5 million donation, MetLife employees will be able to donate to relief efforts in India, Bangladesh and countries in Latin America facing severe spread of COVID-19 and have their contributions matched by the Foundation.

Ashish Kumar Srivastava, Managing Director & CEO, PNB MetLife, said: “The pandemic is an unprecedented crisis and India has been severely impacted by this latest wave of COVID-19. There is an immediate requirement to support medical infrastructure for those affected and we at PNB MetLife thank MetLife Foundation for supporting India during these testing times with aid across key impacted regions. We are humbled by MetLife standing by us, our society and our nation.”

Ala Ahmad, CEO of MetLife Bangladesh, noted: “We are very proud of the efforts of MetLife Foundation in mitigating the impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 situation in Bangladesh. We stand with our fellow citizens at this time of need and will do our very best to give necessary assistance to the health and wellbeing needs of the people affected by this pandemic.”

More information can be found at www.metlife.org.

About MetLife Foundation

At MetLife Foundation, we are committed to expanding opportunities for low- and moderate-income people around the world. We partner with nonprofit organizations and social enterprises to create financial health solutions and build stronger communities, while engaging MetLife employee volunteers to help drive impact. MetLife Foundation was established in 1976 to continue MetLife’s long tradition of corporate contributions and community involvement. From its founding through the end of 2020, MetLife Foundation provided more than $900 million in grants and $85 million in program-related investments to make a positive impact in the communities where MetLife operates. Our financial health work has reached more than 13.4 million low- and moderate-income individuals in 42 countries. To learn more about MetLife Foundation, visit metlife.org.