The triple tragedies that hit Japan in mid March spurred the HR community to extend its support towards relief efforts in Japan, in whichever way it could. As the human tragedy unfolded, many companies with a footprint in Japan moved swiftly to evacuate staff and ensure their safety. “Our thoughts are with the families of the people in Japan who have lost their lives, and those who are facing the challenges of these natural disasters,” said Laura Sanford, Assistant Vice President of Corporate Contributions.
Now, weeks after the calamity, many companies continue to monitor the situation on an on-going basis. “We are currently assessing how we can provide other support within the country but currently it is difficult to get needed supplies into the impacted areas due to fuel shortages,” Pete Elroy, Vice President HR, UPS Asia Pacific Region told HRM. “We want to do what is possible to help the community get back on its feet,” he added.
The same sentiment is being echoed across the HR community. “Nokia is very concerned about what has happened and is currently happening in Japan. As Global citizens, we want to help out and accelerate the rebuilding efforts in Japan,” Alysson Do, Head of HR, SEAP, Nokia said.
As the crisis threw around a few challenges, it also brought to the fore the benevolent spirit of companies in Singapore. Many companies told HRM that they had immediately activated their Corporate Social Responsibility teams to organise activities to support relief efforts in Japan. Apart from making monetary contributions to the agencies like the Red Cross, many companies are raising additional funds through internal fundraisers.
“There are a lot of people who would like to volunteer or send other goods, but given the safety issues, travel advisories, and logistical challenges, cash donations seem to the be the best and quickest way to contribute to the relief efforts at this stage,” shares Jason Dacaret, Managing Director, RGF, Singapore.
The road to restoration is sure to be tough and complicated but businesses in Singapore are determined to turn around this humanitarian challenge as has been demonstrated by various relief efforts so far.
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Global Inc extends support
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Company
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Contribution
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Google
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Donated $250,000, will match employee donations dollar-to-dollar
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3M
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Employee fundraiser, donations to Singapore Red Cross
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Recruit Group
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Donated US$1.25 million to the Red Cross, will match employee contributions dollar-to-dollar
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Giving Hand
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Donated 100 electric generators, 9,000 articles of clothing
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Bo Le Associates
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Donated $10,000, will match cash employee donations
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The Body Shop (L’Oreal Group)
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Donated JPY 100 million to Japanese Red Cross
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The UPS Foundation
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Pledged US$ 1 million including ‘in kind’ services
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Symantec Corporation
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Donated US$120,000, will match employee donations
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Nokia South East Asia
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Donated Euro 300,000 to Red Cross Japan , will match employee donations
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McDonald’s Corporation
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Donated $2 million
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Credit Suisse Singapore Office
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Donated S$355,203 to the Red Cross in employee contribution matched by the bank
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AT&T
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Contributed US$275,000 to three nonprofit organisations, will donate 10,000 prepaid calling cards
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Fuji Xerox
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Internal fundraising drive, will match contributions dollar-to-dollar
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Ways to help
For those still looking to contribute towards the relief efforts, here are some ways to make a difference:
- Donors can make in-person cash donations at the Singapore Red Cross during opening hours from 9.30am to 9.00pm. More information can be found at http://www.redcross.org.sg/
- Payments can be made through AXS machines island-wide. This service has been available since March 16, 2011
- Payments through ATM channels of several banks like DBS, POSB, OCBC, UOB are also ongoing. DBS and POSB customers have already donated $1million so far
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