Last week, we reported that social games leader Zynga started a relief fund for the people of Haiti. Today, the company provided an update, announcing that in just five days its players managed to generate $1.5 million. Over 300,000 Zynga game players from 47 countries effectively donated to U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) by buying limited edition items in FarmVille, FishVille, Mafia Wars and Zynga Poker. FarmVille users alone raised $1 million.
100% of the proceeds are going to WFP. Zynga also noted that since it donated $1.2 million for the welfare of children and women late last year, the total raised for Haiti actually now amounts to $2.7 million (although that first amount was obviously pre-earthquake).
“We are extremely grateful to Zynga for this contribution,” said Nancy Roman, WFP’s director of communications. “Through their donations, Zynga players are helping us to bring urgently needed food assistance to people who have been plunged into hunger by this devastating earthquake. We started distributing food within 24 hours of the earthquake, and in the coming weeks, we aim to deliver weekly rations to 2 million people.”
“We are humbled by the response from our users and the speed with which they rallied from everywhere to help so many in Haiti,” said Zynga CEO Mark Pincus.
It's great to see the power of social gaming put to use for a good cause. Once again, we encourage you to help out with donations if you can.
