Covid crisis: French donations put to good use, welcomes the Court of Accounts

Protective gear, tablets in nursing homes, ‘wellness spaces’ in hospitals… Around 200 million euros, collected in a few months from the French by five charities to fight the Covid crisis, could be ‘quickly deployed’, the Court said. auditors on Monday. More than half was used to support patients and caregivers, the rest was used for medical research and helping vulnerable people.

Empowered to control not only “public money” but also “public money”, the Court explains that it has investigated the use of donations collected during the Covid epidemic by the French Red Cross, the Fondation de France, the Pasteur Foundation. institute, the AP-HP Foundation and the Hospital Foundation. The generosity of the French was especially noticeable during this period: thus, the Fondation des Hôpitaux increased its collection ninefold between 2019 and 2020, and the Fondation de l’AP-HP (Paris Public Hospitals) increased its collection 11fold.

Microwave ovens for hospital lounges

In addition to money, individuals and companies offered food, microwaves for hospital toilets, or even sophrology sessions for caregivers.

And with the money raised, the organizations funded research projects, medical equipment, food trays for caregivers, or tablets to facilitate communication between nursing home residents and their families.

The funded projects “have been in line with calls for donations,” say the wise men, who however issue a few caveats, pointing out some incorrect accounting entries or noting that “donor information needs to be improved” regarding the use of their money.