Whatsapp has announced the launch of two initiatives in support of the global fight against the Coronavirus pandemic: the global launch of the WhatsApp Coronavirus Information Hub in partnership with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and UNDP, and a $1m donation to the Poynter Institute’s International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN).
The company has already been working with governments and NGOs in Singapore, Israel, South Africa, Brazil, and Indonesia to provide factual information to people at scale, but it plans to extend this, with an information hub that will be updated with the vital, real-time information about COVID-19.
The WhatsApp Coronavirus Information Hub which can be accessed via whatsapp.com/coronavirus provides simple, actionable guidance for health workers, educators, community leaders, nonprofits, local governments and local businesses that rely on WhatsApp to communicate. The site also offers general tips and resources for users around the world to reduce the spread of rumors and connect with accurate health information.
While people need to spend time apart, WhatsApp promises to share “quick guidance on how small groups can make the most of WhatsApp features” as it continues to provide a simple, reliable, and secure way for people to communicate.
In addition, WhatsApp is working with the WHO and UNICEF to provide messaging hotlines for people around the world to use directly. These hotlines will provide reliable information and will be listed on the WhatsApp Coronavirus Information Hub.
Will Cathcart, head of WhatsApp, said: “ We know that our users are reaching out on WhatsApp more than ever at this time of crisis, whether it’s to friends and loved ones, doctors to patients, or teachers to students. We wanted to provide a simple resource that can help connect people at this time .
“ We are also pleased to be able to partner with the Poynter Institute to help grow the amount of fact-checking organizations on WhatsApp and to support their life-saving work to debunk rumors. We will also continue to work directly with health ministries around the world for them to provide updates right within WhatsApp .”
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