50 million Euros across 30 countries: BNP Paribas organises a global response to the COVID-19 crisis

BNP Paribas and its subsidiaries mobilised at the outset of the crisis, aiding hospitals, medical research institutions and vulnerable populations on a local level. To strengthen those actions already in place and extend the Group’s support to more affected communities, the Group announced on 9 April an emergency support plan pledging a total of more than €50m in aide worldwide.

The plan will distribute €25m throughout 30 countries in addition to the €25m already provided for a number of initiatives. Helping communities is the priority of these additional funds, which will support actions adapted to specific local needs on several fronts.

• Support for hospitals and the search for solutions

In addition to contributions already made to healthcare systems, such as the donation of 3 million masks to hospitals across Europe and support for research at the Pasteur Institute of France, the latest hospital support plan provides further funds for Europe, North and South America, Asia and Africa. Hospitals within the most affected countries in need of additional support for emergencies and research have been identified, ranging from Mumbai to the Queens Borough of New York to Bergamo, Italy. The plan will also address for certain specific needs of medical professionals, such as screening tests in Poland. 

• Help to the most vulnerable

To tackle the impact of the crisis beyond healthcare systems, the Group has pledged further support for a variety of NGOs working with low-income families, refugees, the elderly and victims of domestic violence. While large international organisations like Unicef or the Red Cross will receive support, local teams throughout BNP Paribas have also identified the specific needs in their areas and the organisations confronting them. These initiatives include access to computers for schoolchildren in the Netherlands as well as several social and healthcare-based actions for the highly affected Seine Saint Denis Municipality in France, where BNP Paribas is the largest private employer.

• Furthering the Group’s commitment

The emergency action plan calls not only for funds, but also a reinforcement of how BNP Paribas employees around the world can make an impact. Special programmes have been implemented for social businesses and microfinance institutions with clients in difficulty, particularly those in Asia, Africa and South America. Employees can also dedicate working hours on a volunteer basis to associations in need of help, and today the Group activated its emergency and development fund.  BNP Paribas will then match all subsequent contributions from employees to certain humanitarian NGOs working with healthcare personnel and improving hygiene awareness or access to food and water. 

‘In the face of the health crisis, the response can only be collective. This is the direction of the measures we have put in place to support our corporate and private clients. We must also all stand alongside those who care for us and pay particular attention to all those who are facing great difficulty in the current situation. This is the thrust of the emergency support plan that we are implementing throughout the world for the benefit of the most vulnerable hospitals and populations, based on the fact that, in all the countries where BNP Paribas operates, our employees are themselves committed players in civil society.‘ said Jean Laurent Bonnafé, Director and Chief Executive Officer of the BNP Paribas Group.