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SAP Helps Haitian Earthquake Victims
By: Kris Sorenson
Company: SAP Business Objects
Posted on Jan. 18, 2010 09:30 AM in Postalsoft
http://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/scn/weblogs?blog=/pub/wlg/17473
In the early morning hours of January 12, 2010, Haiti was hit by a massive 7.0-magnitude earthquake, which was centered about 10 miles (15 kilometers) southwest of the country's capital, Port-au-Prince. SAP is donating U.S.$300,000 to support immediate relief efforts.Estimates of the death toll range from 30,000 to 100,000 people. Due to the breakdown of communication channels, it is still impossible to assess the damage - even after more than 48 hours. Approximately three million people, one-third of Haiti's population, were affected by the quake, the Red Cross estimates.
At this time, our relief partners have advised us that only trained disaster services personnel will be deployed to the area. The SAP Corporate Social Responsibility team is working with these partners to discuss employee engagement opportunities as they become available during the rebuilding phase. "At SAP, we have a long and well-established tradition of helping those who are in need," SAP CEO Léo Apotheker says. "In the case of Haiti, we will do this in two ways: We will provide funds to our relief agency partners such as the Red Cross and the World Food Programme to assist with the most immediate needs for food and medical assistance. We will also support the rebuilding efforts in this country."
The Board has pledged a corporate donation in the amount of U.S.$300,000 to support immediate relief efforts. The Board has also committed an additional U.S.$750,000 over the next five years to support, as Léo puts it, "the rebuilding of a new and different Haiti."
Kris Sorenson is a Technical Customer Assurance Manager for the Data Quality Postalsoft products.
