Survey: 35% of Czechs began charitable efforts during the COVID-19 epidemic

Prague, Nov 28 (CTK) - The coronavirus pandemic has raised a wave of solidarity in the Czech Republic, according to a poll conducted by the bank ING and released this weekend.

According to the survey, a total of 35 percent of Czechs have started contributing to charitable efforts during the COVID-19 epidemic.

One-tenth of Czechs have started helping the people around them, such as with shopping, walking their dog, or giving them a ride.

Two percent have started contributing to those in need.

The poll was conducted on a sample of 1,000 respondents in November. Only 17 percent of Czechs said they were not helping in any way.

The poll showed that people take interest in their surroundings and try to find a ways be useful in their neighborhood. They may provide material aid in schools or at hospitals (3 percent) or have stated sponsoring a specific person (4 percent).

A total of 7 percent of Czechs have begun sewing face masks, donating them to those in need.

"The pandemic showed, especially in its first wave, that as a society we are cohesive and ready to help," psychologist Martina Viewegova said.

"The current situation brought limitations to some, but also gave them a new impulse to try something different. This is why some of them are working as volunteers or auxiliary workers in the spheres where they are needed," she added.

Irrespective of the pandemic, two-thirds of Czechs contribute to some form of charity. About 13 percent of Czechs contribute regularly to a specific organization.

Most often (52 percent), they show generosity randomly, whether they are prompted by someone else or if they take interest in a project by themselves.

Almost one-fourth of the polled said they did not give money to anyone, but were trying to help in other ways.

Those surveyed consider the most useful form of help to be personal volunteering. This reply was given by over one-third of the respondents.

Czechs also cited financial gifts and professional volunteering, such as passing knowledge to those in need or the free provision of a service, as further beneficial activities.

Three-quarters of Czechs donate unneeded personal effects to charity or another person. This is done by 84 percent of women and two-thirds of men.