Global financier and philanthropist George Soros is calling on the world's wealthy to give money to the needy as they face further hardships in the economic crisis.
In the past 25 years, the American financier has given away about $US7 billion and has increased his rate of donations since the start of the recession.
In his latest move, Mr Soros is giving $US35 million in vouchers to help children in New York prepare for school.
He says these are not normal times and philanthropy has been hit hard by the economic slowdown.
