Cover-Credits:
Riot Games has announced that it has raised a total of $5.4 Million USD in funds to support humanitarian efforts in Eastern Europe with the help of its benevolent player base. Riot is equally distributing the funds – $1.8 Million USD each – to three nonprofit organizations: International Medical Corps, Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders, and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Doctors Without Borders or Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), an international, independent medical humanitarian, has been offering assistance and support in the form of medical humanitarian response to the deepening humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and in neighboring countries. It has provided supplies to numerous hospitals in eastern Ukraine, Kyiv, and other parts of the country.
Likewise, the ICRC has been working alongside its partners Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, to save and protect the lives of victims of armed conflict and violence in Ukraine.
The International Medical Corps is also expanding its relief efforts inside the country and its neighbors to provide medical, mental health, and protection services.
Riot announced the fundraiser on 5th March
Earlier on 5th March, the company announced that it would be donating the proceeds from the sales of battle passes across its different game titles to humanitarian relief. The proceeds include the sales of battle passes in Legends of Runeterra, Wild Rift, Teamfight Tactics, Valorant, along with the sales of the Bee skin line in League of Legends. The statement from Riot stated that the proceeds from the sales made between 5th March and 12th March would be donated for the relief measures. Additionally, Riot also stated that it would be donating $1 Million USD across three humanitarian nonprofits over and above the player-supported fundraiser.
In its initial press release, Riot wrote, “The war in Ukraine has caused an expanding humanitarian crisis. Since it began, we’ve heard from players around the world that they want to help—and so do we.”
As an update on the fundraiser, on 9th March, the company noted that it had raised more than $2 Million USD for the cause and with its contribution, the total came up to $3 Million USD. Riot Games wrote on Twitter, “Thank you to players around the world who have raised more than $2m to support relief in Eastern Europe so far! With contributions from Riot, that brings the total to more than $3m to date. There is still time to donate.”
Those looking to donate to the three causes can do so from their respective websites at International Medical Corps, Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders, and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
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