Social

COVID-19: humanitarian aid

Assuming responsibility for the common good is the guiding principle of our social engagement. Especially in times where societies are facing major challenges, solidarity and social cohesion are vital. Worldwide, the COVID-19 crisis dramatically affected the livelihoods and health of countless people.

Zwei Frauen mit Atemschutzmasken halten einen Behälter mit Flächendesinfektionsmittel in Pune, Indien

Asia, Europe, South America

Rumania, Italy, Brazil, India

Moinesti, Milan, Bergamo, São Paulo, Pune

Funding period: 2020

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the world was facing an unprecedented crisis. The pandemic claimed many lives, and a large number of people were at risk of losing their jobs or financial security. Even today, it is practically impossible to assess the extent of the material and social damage caused by the COVID-19 crisis, especially on a global scale. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Wilo-Foundation supported various measures to provide assistance and emergency aid worldwide:

Romania: #SavetheSaviors

As part of the #SavetheSaviors COVID-19 response initiative of Habitat for Humanity, and with support from the Wilo-Foundation, an emergency centre was built in Romania within a short time. The centre is located in Moinești northeast of Bucharest and provides emergency medical care for up to 65,000 people from 11 neighbouring communities.

Funding partner: Habitat for Humanity Deutschland e.V., Cologne

Es wird das Dach eines Notfallzentrums in Rumänien gedeckt, zwei Krankenwagen stehen in der Auffahrt — Construction progress Emergency Center, Moinesti, Romania. Photo: Habitat for Humanity Deutschland e.V., Cologne

Italy: support for hospitals

The Wilo-Foundation made a donation for overcrowded hospitals in the Italian COVID-19 hotspots of Milan and Bergamo, enabling them to buy medical equipment and supporting their medical teams.

Funding partner: ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo; ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan

Brazil: Support for families

The inhabitants of favelas, for instance in São Paulo, live in overcrowded conditions without access to clean water. Such vulnerable communities were particularly hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Wilo-Foundation made a donation to Habitat for Humanity’s relief fund. The money was used to carry out urgently needed repairs on homes of more than 100 families so as to improve their sanitation, housing and hygiene conditions.

Funding partner: Habitat for Humanity Deutschland e.V., Cologne

Eine Familie einer Favela in Brasilien steht vor einem Haus, das bald renoviert wird — Photo: Habitat for Humanity Deutschland e.V., Cologne

India: hygiene kits

The Wilo-Foundation made a donation to Habitat for Humanity to support a project in the Indian state of Maharashtra, where Wilo also operates a production site in the city of Pune. The donation was used for purchasing and distributing hygiene kits for at-risk groups and 770 families. The kits contained soap, surface disinfectants, detergents and masks, helping people to protect themselves and others against the virus.

Funding partner: Habitat for Humanity Deutschland e.V., Cologne

Eine Frau und ein älterer Mann halten ein Hygiene Kit in den Händen — Photo: Habitat for Humanity Deutschland e.V., Cologne

India: #EnactusCares

In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the Wilo-Foundation decided to expand its support for Enactus, the world’s largest learning platform for students, and make a contribution to the #Enactus Cares Ideas for Impact Contest in India. The virtual contest was aimed at students in India who, through their project ideas, demonstrated strength, team spirit and resilience in the challenging times of COVID-19. The Wilo-Foundation sponsored the prize money for the best ideas.

Funding partner: Enactus Global, USA