The funding will support both short- and long-term relief efforts in regions where MetLife operates, with a first round of grants supporting efforts to assist those with emergency food, childcare, and healthcare needs, as well as direct financial assistance. As part of the commitment, the foundation and other MetLife entities have pledged $4 million to relief efforts in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and the United States, including $1 million to U.S. food banks to strengthen their capacity to meet increased demand.
"Supporting and protecting people is at the core of who we are and what MetLife stands for — in our business and in the foundation's giving," said MetLife president and CEO Michel Khalaf. "MetLife Foundation is directing its resources to those most impacted by coronavirus. The communities where we work and live have never needed our support more, and we're going to do everything we can to help."