AirAsia launches virtual donation to help vulnerable communities impacted by Covid-19

The digital donation drive will be used to get medical aid to Orang Asli families. — Filepic

A public digital donation drive has been launched by AirAsia Foundation to help vulnerable communities impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The initiative by the philanthropic arm of AirAsia Group is happening until the end of April.

Donations received will be channelled to social enterprises and charities such as Perak State Parks, SEED Foundation and Beyond Borders Malaysia. These organisations provide food and medical aid to Orang Asli families, people without permanent shelter and refugees.

AirAsia Foundation executive director Yap Mun Ching said the crisis has greatly affected those who were already socio-economically disadvantaged in the first place.

“Among our grantees, several have reported appeals from community members for food aid. In these extraordinary times, we call for collective action and hope that as many people as possible will give their support, ” she said.

AirAsia Foundation is also monitoring the situation of its social enterprise grantees and their vulnerable community members, many of whom lost daily income as a result of movement restrictions imposed across the region.

Donors may make their contributions on the foundation’s fund- raising page at airasiafoundation.com/relieffund or on the BigPay financial app.

Meanwhile, Marriott International hotels in Malaysia have joined forces to collect over 10,000 pieces of essential items for Covid-19 frontliners. These include items such as dental kits, soaps, shampoos and shower caps.

Thus far, the hotels have delivered the supplies to over 60 quarantine centres throughout Malaysia.

Marriott International Business Council Malaysia chairman Gregory Gubiani said every little effort helps during this crucial period.

“They are putting their lives on the line to save lives, so the least we can do is ease their burden so they can give their best, ” he said.