Social platform WeChat has announced that the Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF HK) brings in a new payment channel to support world emergency relief work via WeChat’s advanced Payment Platform, enabling donors to easily make contributions to emergency relief efforts through WeChat.
UNICEF HK activated the WeChat Payment function through a WeChat Official Account last month (WeChat ID: unicef_hk). The function allows users to make payments and donations via WeChat with Visa and MasterCard credit cards issued by a local bank similar to how Facebook Messenger’s payment system works in the U.S.
WeChat says the new feature has been “extensively” utilized in the wake of the recent devastating earthquakes in Nepal. Immediately after the first earthquake struck Nepal in late April, UNICEF HK’s WeChat Official Account launched a “Nepal Earthquake” action tab, enabling local WeChat users to make instant donations to the cause.
Other efforts supported by UNICEF HK include helping those affected by Cyclone Pam in the South Pacific, the Syrian crisis, and the Ebola outbreak, the last of which WeChat themselves assisted with.
“Social media is now indispensable for youth”
“Social media is now indispensable for youth,” said Mr. David Fong, Chairman of Fundraising Committee of UNICEF HK. “The introduction of WeChat Payment will help cultivate support for UNICEF HK from youngsters and provide a more convenient and effective channel for public donations, supporting UNICEF’s humanitarian relief work.” Mr. Fong added, “We hope that with the massive number of WeChat users, UNICEF HK will be drawn closer to the public, gain support from them during natural disasters and release instant emergency and fundraising reports.”
“The new UNICEF HK’s Official Account and WeChat Payment features break new ground for charities and similar organizations as they find new ways to engage the public via channels such as WeChat,” said Mr. Norman Tam, General Manager, Hong Kong and Taiwan Operations, International Business Group, Tencent. “The way UNICEF HK is utilizing WeChat and the new payment platform is a great example of how technology can take people’s interaction with charities to a whole new level.”
Mr. Fong shared how WeChat Payment is supporting UNICEF HK’s recent relief work, “The devastating earthquake that struck Nepal resulted in severe casualties, massive destruction of buildings and infrastructure. Among the 2.8 million children affected by the earthquake, 1.7 million children are living in the worst-hit areas amid growing risks of disease outbreak. UNICEF HK immediately listed donation options on our WeChat Official Account aiding in the provision of water and medical supplies, to raise funds and meet the pressing needs of these children.”
WeChat is available for most major mobile operaing systems.