Citi's Covid-19 relief efforts to aid marginalised, migrant workers

Singapore

CITI on Tuesday announced three key initiatives in support of Covid-19-related community relief efforts in Singapore, as part of the bank's 15th Global Community Day.

First, the Citi Foundation will be supporting YMCA of Singapore with a US$150,000 grant for its Food For Good programme, which is expected to help close to 900 people.

This grant translates to over 45,000 meals and grocery packs over three months for marginalised communities, which include low-income families, persons with special needs, and migrant workers.

To deepen the programme's impact by supporting businesses that have been adversely affected by the pandemic, meals will be purchased from hawkers around the estates of the identified clients. Taxi drivers and private-hire car drivers will be engaged to deliver the meals and groceries.

The second initiative will see Citi committing S$150,000 to support disadvantaged students with a daily allowance through The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, and access to arts education via The Business Times Budding Artists Fund.

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The third initiative is to support migrant workers in the form of a fundraising campaign for Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics (Home), which helps workers in areas such as immediate medical and basic needs.

The month-long fundraising campaign, called Citi Supports Home, was initiated by a volunteer-driven group called CitiClub Singapore.

Donations from the campaign will aid Home in responding to the many challenges the pandemic has brought to the local migrant worker community, as some earn wages of as little as S$400 a month.

The efforts are aimed at helping to deliver immediate relief to frontline workers and populations within communities that are most impacted, as well as longer-term community investment that focuses on continued access to food and education.

Amol Gupte, the Asean head and Citi country officer for Singapore, said Citi has pledged its commitment to serve the local community and respond quickly to relief work on the ground.

"We will continue to demonstrate Citi's values through our philanthropic efforts and core business activities in Singapore to make a difference to those in need," he said.