Google announces it will match fund first £3.5m donated to its public appeal

Google has pledged to donate £3.5 million to four charities battling to help refugees in Europe, the Middle East and northern Africa, in a bid to spark more public donations.

The tech giant revealed on Wednesday it would match fund the first £3.5m donated by the public on its online fundraising page.

A statement on the Google website said donations would go to Network for Good, which will then distribute it to four nonprofits providing aid to refugees and migrants.

The four organisations are Doctors Without Borders, International Rescue Committee, Save the Children and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

They, Google said, are “helping to deliver essential assistance – including shelter, food and water, and medical care – and looking after the security and rights of people in need.”

Google will cover all processing fees on donations so that 100% of all money goes to the charities.

Google has already donated €1m – around £730,000 – to organisations providing humanitarian relief.

To donate visit google.com/refugeerelief.