Coronavirus: Rihanna’s foundation donates $5M to fight COVID-19

Pop superstar Rihanna opened her wallet in an effort to fight the coronavirus pandemic, as the singer’s Clara Lionel Foundation donated $5 million to several organizations worldwide, Variety reported.

The foundation -- launched by Rihanna in 2012 and named for her grandparents, Clara and Lionel Braithwaite -- distributed money to Direct Relief, Partners In Health, Feeding America, the International Rescue Committee and World Health Organization’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, among others, according to Billboard.

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“Never has it been more important or urgent to protect and prepare marginalized and underserved communities -- those who will be hit hardest by this pandemic,” Justine Lucas, the foundation’s executive director, said in a statement.

Funds from the foundation also will support local food banks that serve at-risk communities and the nation’s elderly, and will aid testing and care in Haiti and Malawi, People reported. Money also will be earmarked to provide medical equipment, aid in vaccine and therapy research and development, and health care training, the magazine reported.

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"CLF believes that one of the most powerful weapons we have against COVID-19 is preparedness,” the foundation said in a statement. “Protecting our frontline health workers and marginalized communities around the world requires getting ahead of it fast, and the time to act is now.”

Cox Media Group