Vodafone Group Plc today announces that it will be making a charitable donation of GBP 1 million to support the humanitarian rescue operation following the Asian Tsunami disaster. The money is being made available from The Vodafone Group Foundation, the Group's charitable trust, as well as from Group resources.
The GBP 1 million will be allocated to the following organisations:
GBP 250,000
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Based on the assessment and evaluation of needs in the affected areas, the IFRC will distribute emergency shelter materials, food and non-food relief items.
GBP 100,000
Telecoms Sans Frontiers and MapAction
TSF is the leading humanitarian NGO specialising in emergency telecommunications. TSF's objective is to strengthen emergency help coordination by making its satellite communications equipment available to those in need.
MapAction is a small NGO providing dynamic maps of disaster areas, including vital situational information, to other NGOs. Their mapping team collect up-to-date situation data, which, together with satellite imagery, are added as overlays to existing maps.
GBP 650,000
The Disasters Emergency Committee
The DEC comprises a number of UK based NGOs with international reach, namely ActionAid, British Red Cross, CAFOD, Care International UK, Christian Aid, Concern, Help the Aged, MERLIN, OXFAM, Save the Children UK, Tearfund and World Vision UK. All of these charities are active in the relief efforts following the Tsunami earthquake.
Group Chief Executive, Arun Sarin said "As a global business, we believe it is important for Vodafone to play its part in this relief effort which is on an unprecedented scale. The impact of this tragedy has touched people all over the world and we feel it is appropriate for businesses to work with governments, NGOs and individuals to help those most directly affected."
In addition to the GBP 1 million donation, Vodafone in the UK is launching a scheme for employees that matches every donation with an equal amount from The Vodafone UK Foundation.
For further information:
Vodafone Group Plc
Ben Padovan
+44 1635 673310
+44 7717 663366
