BNP Paribas Mobilises Emergency Support Plan in South Africa

• South Africa is one of over 30 countries to receive assistance from BNP Paribas’ 50 million EUR emergency support plan
• The emergency support plan is aimed at providing local support for hospitals, vulnerable populations and young people globally
• R 6.5 million committed to South Africa’s Solidarity Fund and number of local NGOs

BNP Paribas and its subsidiaries around the world have, from the outset of the global health crisis, mobilised to support hospital systems, medical research and institutions that help the most vulnerable and disadvantaged young people. Actions in aid of communities are the priority of the emergency support plan, especially when deployed in the field, in support of medical professionals, NGOs and social services support associations that are at the forefront of seeking solutions to this healthcare and social crisis.

In South Africa, BNP Paribas and wholly owned subsidiary RCS have committed R 6.5 million to help with the national healthcare and social crisis caused by COVID-19, through the assistance of the BNP Paribas 50 million EUR emergency support plan.  The contribution will be directed to the South African Solidarity Fund, recently established by President Ramaphosa, in addition to a number of NGOs such as the Haven Night Shelter network and Afrika Tikkun.

Speaking about local support, Vikas Khandelwal, Head of Territory for BNP Paribas commented: “In April, BNP Paribas launched a 50 million EUR plan to help hospitals and vulnerable populations across more than 30 countries globally, in the context of the current global pandemic. As part of this plan, we are proud to mobilise funding in South Africa to assist those most affected by the crisis, help flatten the curve and support those whose lives have been substantially disrupted by the pandemic.”

Regan Adams, CEO RCS explained: “In addition to our commitment to South Africa’s Solidarity Fund, we also plan to assist NGOs such as the Haven Night Shelter and Afrika Tikkun, who are both providing support to local communities impacted by the pandemic. The Haven Night Shelter, a network of 15 homeless centres across the Western Cape, provides shelter and social welfare services to those in need, while Afrika Tikkun is distributing emergency relief supplies directly to some of the most vulnerable communities in South Africa including Alexandra, Diepsloot, Braamfontein, and Mfuleni’.

With a strong local presence globally, BNP Paribas teams have already been able to provide support, in the form of, grants to numerous local NGOs in Europe, Asia and Africa, various bank solidarity and insurance funds, and research via the Institut Pasteur in France.