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| January 2010 |
Corporate Disaster Response
Catastrophic Earthquake in Haiti
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On January 12 at 5:00 pm Eastern time, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti, 10 miles south of the capital city of Port-au-Prince. Initial reports suggest widespread damage and casualties are feared to be over one hundred thousand people. Red Cross estimates that 3 million people, one third of Haiti's population, have been affected by the earthquake. Extensive search and rescue efforts are underway but, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, there is very little access to many parts of Haiti because of debris and closed roads. Many government buildings in Port-au-Prince have been damaged or destroyed, including the National Palace and the U.N. Peacekeeper compound.
The scale of destruction in Haiti is catastrophic. We extend our deepest sympathies to everyone affected by these disasters. As we each determine how to respond, EF offers the following information and ideas for you to consider. We encourage you to share your ideas on how companies can help and look forward to your suggested relief organizations, information, and resources. To share your information and hear what others have to say go to EF Community
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How Your Company Can Help
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- Make a corporate contribution and encourage employees to donate to relief organizations, such as:
- Match employee gifts. Some companies match employee contributions dollar for dollar, some companies match up to a certain amount (e.g. the company will match employee contributions up to $10,000, making the total combined donation $20,000).
- Consider allowing employees to donate Paid Time Off (PTO) or a day's salary.
- Conduct a fundraising campaign such as a bake sale or silent auction.
- Consider in-kind donations and providing volunteer opportunity information to your employees. As we have seen in other disasters, needs for in-kind donations and volunteers will become apparent during the recovery period, after the immediate crisis has passed. Watch for guidance from relief organizations on what type of volunteer and in-kind support is needed as when and how to donate goods such as clothing, food, and medical supplies.
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Related Resources
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- ReliefWeb is the global hub for time-critical humanitarian information on Complex Emergencies and Natural Disasters
- Entrepreneurs Foundation (EF) Disaster Response Resource Guide
This toolkit is intended to guide corporations of any size in establishing a Disaster Response plan that reflects the values of that corporation and is aligned with the strengths of the business. Included is a disaster response flow chart, evaluation scorecard, and response checklist. You'll also find the results of a 2008 Silicon Valley disaster study sponsored by Symantec and Synopsys.
- U.S. Chamber's BCLC lists company donations to recent disasters and provides a disaster alert map.
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