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| November 11, 2005 | Friday | Shawwal 8, 1426 |
American aid group to raise awareness about quake devastation
WASHINGTON, Nov 10: Members of an earthquake relief fund set up by President George W Bush on Wednesday have pledged to use an expected trip to Pakistan to raise awareness in the US about the Oct 8 disaster.
“Once we have had an opportunity to assess the situation first hand, we will engage our people in helping and provide in-kind support as well,” said Anne Mulcahy, chairman and chief executive officer of Xerox.
While announcing the fund, President Bush had said some members of the committee set up to manage the fund would soon visit Pakistan as part of a presidential delegation to express solidarity with the earthquake victims and assess the situation on the ground.
“This is a tragedy of unspeakable proportions that will require investment of tremendous resources over a long period of time. The need is urgent. We are in a race against winter and we call upon all to act quickly and generously,” said Ms Mulcahy.
The South Asia Earthquake Relief Fund includes chief executives of five major US companies who will work closely with Mr Bush to raise awareness and resources to help those in need as a result of the disaster. They include: Jeff Immelt, chairman and CEO, General Electric; Hank McKinnell Jr, chairman and CEO, Pfizer; Anne Mulcahy, chairman and CEO, Xerox; Jim Kelly, former chairman and CEO, UPS; and Sanford Weill, chairman, Citigroup.
The fund will be administered by the Committee to Encourage Corporate Philanthropy, an international non-profit forum of over 100 CEOs and chairpersons. Two representatives from the US government and the Pakistani-American community will also serve on the fund’s advisory committee.
On Wednesday, the executives met President Bush at the White House to discuss their plans to increase private resources for humanitarian assistance. A trip to the region is being planned to allow the executives to survey relief efforts and assess where assistance is most needed.
“The earthquake in South Asia has caused incredible human suffering,” said Mr Immelt of GE. “We are proud that GE and its people have committed more than $5 million in cash and much-needed healthcare and energy equipment. However, we recognize the need is still great. We look forward to working with the administration, our colleagues in business and individual Americans to help the victims of this tragedy rebuild their lives.”
“We must collectively do more to help the millions in South Asia. The South Asia Earthquake Relief Fund is an important and meaningful step in furthering humanitarian aid to improve conditions and help rebuild lives,” said Mr McKinnell of Pfizer. “Through partnerships with relief organizations, the US business community has provided leadership, resources and expertise. Pfizer has committed $1 million in cash, $5 million in medicines and healthcare products and local colleagues volunteered to treat the injured.”
“The devastation in South Asia is so great that it compels us to do whatever we can to alleviate the suffering,” said Ms Mulcahy of Xerox. “Xerox has already earmarked $1 million in cash contributions,” she said.
“More than 400,000 UPS employees worldwide have extended their support to the victims of this tragic natural disaster in Pakistan and throughout the region,” said Mr Kelly for UPS. “This is a global responsibility and UPS will work to provide these people with the assistance.”
“A humanitarian relief effort of this scale requires a nationwide philanthropic commitment from both individuals and corporations,” said Mr Weill of Citigroup. “America has given generously in response to several recent disasters but in light of South Asia’s tremendous loss, we all must do more. Citigroup and its employees committed $3 million to relief efforts in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake and our outreach continues.”
“The Committee to Encourage Corporate Philanthropy and its members stand ready to support this initiative in whatever capacity is needed,” said CECP executive director Charles Moore. “We deeply appreciate these business executives who have taken a leadership role in helping those so desperately in need. We ask all Americans to tap that same generosity they did in response to other recent tragedies.”
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