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Google launches Covid-19 microsite in Arabic to support educators, businesses in MENA
Google launched a Covid-19 microsite in Arabic to support individuals, educators, businesses and relief efforts in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
The site offers simplified access to useful and reliable information in Arabic on Search, YouTube and Google Play through SOS alerts, Doodles and search panels in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO).
The site is divided into four main parts; namely health information, safety & protection tips, resources from Google, and additional content.
The site is part of a series of anti-Covid-19 efforts exerted by Google through launching other products and initiatives, such as the SOS alerts on Search, Do the Five campaign with the WHO to raise awareness about prevention measures, and the ongoing Doodles which thank medical staff, grocery workers, and emergency responders.
How Google backs e-learning in MENA:
Google launched Teach From Home site in Arabic which contains tips, trainings and tools from Google for Education to help educators teach remotely. For students, YouTube launched an all-Arabic educational hub called YouTube Dorosi, a library of hundreds of classes based on official government curricula in MENA.
Google also moved its face-to-face training for digital skills, Maharat min Google, to virtual sessions accessible on YouTube and Google Meet, a video conferencing app available on G Suite. To developers who want to continue learning about machine learning, quantum computing and other related topics, Google is running Digital Days, a series of live sessions moderated by MENA’s Google Developer Groups (GDGs).
Small and medium businesses
Last week, Google announced $340 million in Google Ads credits available to all SMBs globally, including in MENA, with active accounts over the past year in countries. Credit notifications will appear in their Google Ads accounts and can be used at any point until the end of 2020 across its advertising platforms.
On the microsite, a section is dedicated to helping businesses stay connected and informed. This includes local resources for remote working & distance learning, and tips to help businesses manage through uncertainty.
Supporting relief efforts of public health officials
Earlier this month, Google launched Community Mobility Reports which show movement trends over time among communities based on anonymized aggregated data to provide insights into what has changed in response to policies aimed at combating covid-19. The report includes many countries in the Middle East and North Africa, such as the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and more.
Google also pledged a sum of $250 million in Google Ad Grants to help more than 100 government agencies around the world run public service announcements, and health and safety awareness campaigns. Google Ad Grants are being rolled out in MENA.
Google’s efforts to extend support for Covid-19 individuals, communities and relief efforts will continue to be updated.
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