Snapchat launches the Donation Lenses to support COVID-19 response efforts by WHO

Mumbai, 07^th April, 2020: In these testing times, Snap Inc. has taken a proactive approach to ensure Snapchatters have access to credible, fact-based information on their platform. In line with this, Snapchat introduces new augmented reality – donation lense in India for Snapchatters who want to support COVID-19 response efforts. 

When a Snapchatter views an INR 500 currency note in the Snapchat camera and taps on it, an AR experience will trigger that shows how a potential donation could support the World Health Organization’s immediate response efforts, which include tracking the spread of COVID-19, ensuring patients get the care they need, and providing frontline workers with critical supplies.

These lenses are being launched in partnership with the United Nations Foundation’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund in support of the WHO, and will direct Snapchatters to the donation page for the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for WHO. Snapchatters will be able to access these lenses in several ways, including in the lens carousel, via Snapcode, or by using Scan. You can donate any amount in supported currencies. The AR experience will show you how your potential donation could support WHO’s work to track and understand the spread of the virus; to ensure patients get the care they need and frontline workers get essential supplies and information; and to accelerate efforts to develop vaccines, tests, and treatments. The Donation lens is active on other currencies as well such as pound, euro, dollar.

These new AR lenses build on Snap’s efforts to support Snapchatters and the partners to navigate this unprecedented challenge together. Snap has believed that Snapchatters play a critical role in stopping the spread of the virus; and has seen increased engagement across the platform, including in Snaps sent between best friends, voice and video calling. 

This is the latest feature launched by Snap as the team continues to focus on providing a seamless in app experience to help the Snap community communicate with loved ones while being physically distant, stay informed, share vital safety information with their friends, and more. 

Please find the hi res images here

Additional on Snap’s COVID-19 efforts:

• Snap ensures that the community has access to the latest news and information on COVID-19, from trusted and credible sources. The WHO and CDC are publishing regular updates to their users from their Official Accounts; more than 40 media publishers around the world are covering every angle of the pandemic; and Snap is onboarding new editorial partners. Snap’s own news team is also regularly producing coverage and continuously updating Discover with tips and information about COVID-19, including Q&As with medical experts. To date, over 445 Discover Stories or Shows have been produced on COVID-19, and over 68 million Snapchatters worldwide have viewed COVID-19-related content on Snapchat.

• Snapchat introduces creative tools to share safety tips with their close friends and loved ones.  These tools include a new Snappable mythbusting game based on guidance from the WHO; an informational lens in partnership with the WHO that lets Snapchatters share safety tips in a visual way; Bitmoji that enforce key health and safety messages; and new features in Zenly app (by Snapchat)

About the COVID-19 SOLIDARITY RESPONSE FUND

The COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for WHO allows companies, organizations, and people everywhere to donate to WHO’s COVID-19 response efforts. Donations go into a fund to support: Tracking and understanding the spread of the virus; Ensuring patients get the care they need, and frontline workers get essential supplies and information; Accelerating efforts to develop vaccines, tests and treatments.