Apple, Google match donations for refugee crisis in Europe

PanARMENIAN.Net - Apple Inc is stepping up aid to the thousands of migrants that are streaming into Europe from war-torn countries, Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook told employees in an internal message on Friday, September 18, Reuters reports.

Cook wrote in a message on the company's intranet site that the Macbook and iPhone maker will make a “substantial donation” to relief agencies supporting the migrants and will match employee donations to the cause by 2-to-1.

The Cupertino, California-based company is also offering customers the option to donate to the Red Cross through its App Store and iTunes Store.

“Apple is dedicated to advancing human rights around the world,” Cook wrote in the message, seen by Reuters. “We hope the actions we’re taking will help make the situation less desperate for some, and ease the hardship so many are enduring.”

Earlier, Google had launched a donation-matching campaign that aims to raise $11 million for humanitarian organizations helping hundreds of thousands of refugees in Europe who have fled war-torn and impoverished countries, USA Today reported.

Donations would be distributed to four nonprofit organizations providing aid such as food, water, shelter and medical care to refugees and migrants: Doctors Without Borders, International Rescue Committee, Save the Children and UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

However, Google’s public campaign has met its goal of $11 million after three days. A company spokesperson told VentureBeat that a total of $14 million was raised, which includes additional funds raised by employees.