YouTube to provide $5 million for Pakistan’s anti-virus efforts

SAN FRANCISCO: YouTube, the world’s biggest online video-sharing platform, will give $5 million to the government of Pakistan to aid in the fight against coronavirus.

In a letter to Prime Minister Imran Khan, YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki said the $5 million will be given in grants to help control the spread of the coronavirus in Pakistan.

Wojcicki lauded the effective and timely measures by the prime minister against the coronavirus. She underscored the need for joint efforts to overcome the pandemic.

She said that YouTube will help Pakistan in the fight against the virus. She extended continuous support to the country in containing the spread of the deadly virus and assured the prime minister of complete support.

“For educators, we’ve created new distance learning resources, including a collection of training materials, a new YouTube Learning Hub, and Teach from Home – a website that aggregates helpful tools and resources for teachers to take the classroom online,” the letter said.

Wojcicki added that YouTube has launched Grow with Google Pakistan that contains tools and resources for remote workers of all kinds. Wojcicki and Prime Minister Imran Khan had met on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum held in the Swiss resort of Davos in January this year.

Last week, Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates had lauded Pakistan’s efforts against the COVID-19 outbreak. During a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Imran Khan, Bill Gates commended the government’s efforts in protecting the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable people.

PM Imran Khan had apprised Gates that Pakistan was facing a dual challenge of overcoming the pandemic and saving the most vulnerable segments of the society from hunger due to the lockdown.

He appreciated the support provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other international partners during this unprecedented crisis.