Google donate $11.5 million to help fight slavery

Google have announced today that they are donating $11.5 million to several organisations who are fighting against modern day slavery of 27 million people around the world.

The associated press said “In what is believed to be the largest ever corporate grant devoted to the advocacy, intervention and rescue of people being held, forced to work or provide sex against their will, Google said it chose organizations with proven records in combating slavery.”

Jacquelline Fuller, director of charitable giving and advocacy for Google said “Many people are surprised to learn there are more people trapped in slavery today than any time in history. The good news is that there are solutions.”

She added “Each year we focus some of our annual giving on meeting direct human need. Google chose to spotlight the issue of slavery this year because there is nothing more fundamental than freedom.”

Google selected the Washington based International Justice Mission, a human rights organisation that works globally to rescue victims of slavery and sexual exploitation. They will partner with the Polaris Project and Slavery Footprint and some smaller organisations for the multi year effort to rescue the enslaved.

According to reports, the coalition will focus on three initiatives. A $3.5 million intervention project to fight forced labor in India; a $4.5 million advocacy campaign in India to educate and protect the vulnerable; and a $1.8 million plan to mobilize Americans on behalf of the millions currently at risk of slavery or waiting for rescue around the world.

The $1.7 million left over will go to several smaller organisations who try to combat slavery.

Gary A Haugen, president of the International Justice Mission said “It's hard for most Americans to believe that slavery and human trafficking are still massive problems in our world. Google's support now makes it possible for IJM to join forces with two other leading organizations so we can bring to bear our unique strengths in a united front.”

You can read more here.

Kitguru says: Money for a very important cause. Good for Google.

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