Microsoft has been recognized as the most significant corporate donor to the Pakistan Flood Disaster with a contribution of over $ 5 million. Microsoft was accorded the recognition along with Coca Cola, GE and P&G as the four most significant corporate donors.
Microsoft’s contribution included over $ 900,000 in cash endowment and over $ 3.8 million in software donations to leading disaster relief organizations, $ 900,000 in kind for Eagle Disaster Management Response Software Package and $220,000 in Grants from Community Affairs Division to support the Punjab Youth Council volunteer program.
Country Manager Kamal Ahmed led the Microsoft mission earlier this year in a presentation to the Punjab Chief Minister and subsequently his cabinet, to present a state-of–the-art Emergency Response System worth $ 500,000 developed by Microsoft Gold Partner, Geodan.
The Response System and its technical staff installed and trained Provincial Govt. relief workers for disaster management. Microsoft also arranged demos for the software system for all the major donors so that it can become a part of the arsenal of disaster response mechanisms. In addition, Microsoft provided software donations and computer systems to the NGOs involved in the relief effort.
Talking about the flood relief effort, Kamal Ahmed said,
“The floods have uprooted millions from their homes. Hundreds of thousands are still in need of our support. Every individual, every brand, every company must do everything possible to help the affectees in areas best suited to their core strengths. Only in this way will we be able to maximize our impact and attend to the needs of our fellow Pakistanis.”
Mr. David Wright, Country Head of Save the Children US, while appreciating the multi-faceted support provided by Microsoft, said,
“Although there is still an immense need for relief efforts in the far-flung areas, we must appreciate that we have several months of unwavering support from the corporate sector. Since winter is reaching its peak, I would urge the government and the corporate sector to come forward with generous donations so that maximum relief could be provided to the millions of displaced families.”
The United Nations has reported that to date, an estimated 14 million people have been affected by torrential rains and floods and 6 to 7 million people are in dire need of food aid, clean water and shelter. Over 1,400 lives have been lost, more than 1,600 injured and 2 to 3 million people displaced due to the various rain-related hazards, including landslides, floods, mudflows and structural collapse.
