The Visa Foundation, on Wednesday, announced its approval of a $1.6 million COVID-19 relief grant to the Red Cross to support COVID-19 recovery programmes across Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa.


The Red Cross is supporting the frontline response to the pandemic and providing critical services for vulnerable communities through public health and disaster relief services.

This grant is part of the Visa Foundation’s previously announced $210 million global commitment, with $10 million in COVID-19 relief focused on the emergency needs to be announced for organisations worldwide and another $200 million to address longer-term needs of the small and micro business community over the next five years.



Globally, The Visa Foundation is providing $4.3 million in funding to support the COVID-19 programmes of the Red Cross.

Andrew Toree, Regional President, Central Europe Middle East and Africa (CEMEA), Visa Inc, said: “Societies around the world have faced unprecedented challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the outbreak placing immense strain on public health providers and other essential services.