Non-bank financial services provider Sanlam Emerging Markets (SEM) is pumping in USD 2.3 million (Ksh 243,681,090) to assist in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic that is currently obliterating economies.

Dazed by the scale of the task, regional governments are struggling to contain the raging virus that has infected over 10,000 Africans and killed nearly 500.

But various organizations are quickly emerging as Coronavirus champions and are being seen as part of the solution to flatten the infections curve.

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Just last week, Sanlam Kenya, a subsidiary of Sanlam Group boosted the national COVID-19 resource mobilization fund with a Ksh 8 Million donation.

Sanlam Kenya’s boss Dr. Patrick Tumbo says that during these unprecedented times, it will be important to take care of each other to ensure the health and safety of families, friends, colleagues, and communities.

On his part, SEM CEO Mr. Heinie Werth said that each of the 32 countries in Africa where Sanlam does business, will receive a portion of the USD 2.3 million donation.

The money will go into assisting efforts in ‘flattening the curve’ and to support various initiatives to combat the spread and the impact of the virus and will be used for personal protective equipment (PPEs), contributions to national solidarity funds, food relief and assist schools with e-learning.

“We are confident that our contribution, along with those of like-minded corporates and other donors, will go a long way towards flattening the curve of this virus in Africa and elsewhere,” said Mr. Werth.

The financial services titan is part of the Sanlam Group which has subsidiaries thought East & Southern Africa.