Give Shelter, Give Life: Microsoft, Facebook, UNHCR team up for Swat IDPs

You just have to join the cause on Facebook to donate a dollar on your behalf by Microsoft to UNHCR to help the internally displaced persons of Swat and Malaknd division of NWFP. The technology company Microsoft has pledged to match dollar for dollar, up to $50,000, every donation to the United Nations refugee agency made on social networking site Face book as reported by Pak factor.

The campaign, launched to help mark World Refugee Day on 20 June, has already received pledges of more than $10,000, to be matched by Microsoft, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Donations can be made through Facebook’s Causes section, directly to the agency’s “Gimme Shelter” programme. The Face book campaign “will help users double their donation, or effectively make a donation simply by joining the “Gimme Shelter cause.”

The Gimme Shelter campaign is also supported by short films directed by American actor Ben Affleck set to the Rolling Stones’ track “Gimme Shelter” – donated by Mick Jagger.

Thanks to the United Nations – UNHCR and Microsoft for doing this and giving us a chance to help by joining and telling our friends. That’s a great use of Facebook. Please spread this word to everyone you know. Without paying one can donate a dollar to UNHCR who is working for the relief and rehabilitation of Swat IDPs. The campaign will last till 14 August 2009. I urge you to be a part of it and contribute for the Swat IDPs.