Bayer in India took the initiative to send aid to help alleviate the suffering of those affected in the J&K earthquake. As an initial measure, the Bayer Group in India dispatched relief aid consisting of blankets, milk powder, kitchen utensils and medicines. The total cost for this was Rs.650, 000 or Euro 12,270. This relief aid was sent directly to the Indian Red Cross Society in Srinagar. In addition to these initial efforts, the Management of Bayer in India proposed that a day's gross salary of the employees along with an equal contribution from the Company would be handed over to the Red Cross to help towards the rehabilitation of those affected. A total of Rs.1, 927,962 or Euro 36,380 was collected in this effort and handed over to Dr. (Mrs.) C.J. Batliwalla, Hon. Secretary of the Indian Red Cross, Maharashtra Chapter.

From the above amount, certain funds have been utilized for disaster management. The balance amount has been used to buy a vehicle – a Chevrolet Tavera, which is essential to carry personnel and supplies for emergency relief operations as well as special projects in which the Red Cross is involved, in various parts of the country.

Earlier, Bayer had donated an ambulance to the Indian Red Cross Society, Maharashtra State Branch. The ambulance functions as a Blood Collection Van in Mumbai.

Tsunami Relief Operations As soon as the Company received news of the catastrophic impact of the ocean quake resulting in the Tsunami waves on December 26, 2004, it immediately requested its local offices to ascertain what kind of aid was required and where, in order to provide people with appropriate, effective relief. Bayer's staff in India spontaneously donated one day's salary to the relief effort, with the Company contributing an equal amount. Donations of medicines, water purification tablets and milk powder were also sent to the victims in India as well as in Sri Lanka. In addition to money and medicines, employees also collected clothes for affected families. The donations were handed over to various relief agencies such as the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Fund.

The German companies in India have also set up a fund to continue to support the victims of this tragedy. Recently, a Medical and Social Centre built with assistance from this fund, opened in the village of Thenampattinam in southern India. The Centre has the capacity to treat 70-100 per day. In addition to the Medical Centre, a social facility for more than 100 people has now been added.

The staff at the Centre administer first aid help and provide trauma care facilities to people who have been affected by this disaster. Social workers and nurses are also on hand to give advice to flood victims. There is a program aimed at helping women achieve financial independence.

Three more centres of this type are to be established in other parts of Southern India that were also hard hit by the tsunami. Each of the facilities will aim to look after a village of some 1,500 families and can each handle approximately 100 patients a day

Mumbai Flood Relief
The floods that affected large parts of Mumbai and surrounding areas after the torrential downpour in July 2005, resulted in a tremendous loss of property and lives. Bayer contributed monetary relief aid and sent essential supplies to victims of flood in the vicinity of the company’s Thane plant.

Gujarat Relief Fund
Bayer in India along with other Bayer companies worldwide extended support to the Indian Red Cross Society working for the Gujarat earthquake relief. This support was given in form of monetary donations and medical aid.

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