Fortnite raises $36 million in humanitarian relief for Ukraine

Epic Games launched Fortnite's latest update, Chapter 3 Season 2: Resistance, on 20th March 2022, which saw the game take a new creative direction by removing the building mechanic. The game also welcomed two more Marvel characters, The Prowler and Doctor Strange, to its roster and more cosmetics to unlock.

The game developers also announced they are raising funds through Fornite purchases, donated to various relief organisations. Epic has since published an update to their social media accounts on how much they’ve raised thus far.

Epic Games raises millions for Ukraine humanitarian fund

In a tweet posted to the Fortnite account, Epic Games announced they had raised $36 million in humanitarian relief funds to support the people “affected by the war in Ukraine.” The news comes just over 24 hours after the publisher announced that it’s pledging all funds from Fortnite purchases to supported relief organisations.

Together we’ve already raised $36 million USD for humanitarian relief for Ukraine. The funds will go to @UNICEF, @WFP, @Refugees, @DirectRelief. pic.twitter.com/JQESsGxDVt

— Fortnite (@FortniteGame) March 21, 2022

This was detailed in a blog post on their website outlining how immediate the transactions are, supported organisations, qualified purchases, and more. For the next two weeks, from 20th March - 3rd April 2022, players who make various Fortnite purchases using real-world money will have these funds distributed across supported relief organisations, including the following:

• Direct Relief
• United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
• United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP)
• The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)

Eligible purchases include V-Buck bundles, gifting Battle Passes, and various cosmetic sets. Additionally, purchasing cosmetic items and V-Bucks cards from retail outlets qualify for the humanitarian relief fund.

Any new, renewed, or “re-activated” Fortnite Crew subscriptions processed over the next two weeks also contribute to the relief fund. As such, if players wish not to donate their funds towards the relief fund, Epic Games advises that they should hold off making any purchases until 3rd April 2022.

• Fortnite Siege Cannon - Locations and how to use
• What are the red and blue lines on the Fortnite map?
• How to Tactical Sprint in Fortnite
• All vaulted & unvaulted weapons in Fortnite Chapter 3 Season 2

“100% of Epic’s Fortnite proceeds is equal to the gross purchase price of all Fortnite in-game purchases or retail purchase redemptions transacted between March 20, 2022, and April 3, 2022, from sales throughout the world, excluding taxes, third-party platform fees, refunds, returns, or reversals,” Epic Games wrote in a blog post.

Microsoft has also joined the humanitarian relief efforts by contributing all funds made from Fortnite items through the Microsoft Store during the specified time window. This is only applicable to countries and regions where Fortnite is available.

Check out the official blog post on the Epic Games website or the pinned post on Fortnite’s Twitter account for more information.

Featured image courtesy of Epic Games.