In Pakistan, $200,000 has been granted to Akhuwat to support their COVID-19 Relief

Program and provide meals and rations bags to the most affected families. In Pakistan,

the ongoing COVID-19 related pandemic and the resulting economic activity lockdown

has placed an immense strain on local communities causing food insecurity and

increasing poverty. The grant to Akhuwat aims to extend their efforts in providing much

needed support to food relief programs in the country.

This grant is part of the Visa Foundation's previously announced $210 million global

commitment, with $10 million in COVID-19 relief focused on the emergency needs

announced last week for organizations worldwide and another $200 million to address

longer-term needs of the small and micro businesses over the next five years.

'The COVID-19 pandemic is creating unprecedented challenges on the communities in

Pakistan,' said Kamil Khan, Visa's Country Manager for Pakistan. 'We're grateful for the

mission-critical services Akhuwat is delivering.'

'We're grateful for the amazing work humanitarian assistance organizations are

providing to communities around the world affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, 'said

Graham MacMillan, president of the Visa Foundation. 'The Visa Foundation is proud to

offer these grants to support these organizations' mission-critical work during these

perilous times.'

The forthcoming 5-year $200 million program will support small and micro businesses,

with a focus on fostering women's economic advancement, both of which will be critical

to long-term economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. This commitment

expands the Visa Foundation's long-standing support for small and micro businesses

globally. Additional information on the Foundation's grant and investment strategy will

be shared in the coming months.

For more information:

? The Visa Foundation's COVID-19 regional grantees: https://usa.visa.com/visa-

everywhere/blog/bdp/2020/05/11/the-visa-foundation-1589219590276.html

? Visa Inc. COVID-19 response: https://usa.visa.com/visa-

everywhere/blog/bdp/2020/04/03/visa-is-committed-1585927227688.html

? Visa Foundation $210 Million commitment to small and micro businesses and immediate

COVID-19 relief: https://usa.visa.com/about-visa/newsroom/press-

releases.releaseId.17066.html

About the Visa Foundation

The Visa Foundation seeks to support inclusive economies where individuals, businesses and

communities can thrive. Through grantmaking and investing, the Foundation prioritizes the

resilience and growth of micro and small businesses that benefit women. The Foundation also

supports broader community needs and disaster response in times of crisis. The Visa

Foundation is registered in the U.S. as a 501(c)3 entity. For more information, visit

https://usa.visa.com/about-visa/philanthropy/visa-foundation.html.

About Visa Inc.

Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) is the world's leader in digital payments. Our mission is to connect the world

through the most innovative, reliable and secure payment network - enabling individuals,

businesses and economies to thrive. Our advanced global processing network, VisaNet,

provides secure and reliable payments around the world, and is capable of handling more than

65,000 transaction messages a second. The company's relentless focus on innovation is a

catalyst for the rapid growth of digital commerce on any device, for everyone, everywhere. As

the world moves from analog to digital, Visa is applying our brand, products, people, network

and scale to reshape the future of commerce. For more information, visit About Visa,

visa.com/blog and @VisaNews.

© Pakistan Press International, source Asianet-Pakistan