Bayer provides relief to tsunami victims
The Tsunami in the Indian Ocean on December 26, 2004, triggered by the most powerful ocean quake on Earth in 40 years, generated the largest Tsunami in the Indian Ocean since 1883 and left a multitude of people affected in terms of disastrous consequences to life and property. People across India, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia were subjected to a tragedy of proportions beyond comprehension, belief or explanation. The death toll was in excess of 150,000 and the damage though restricted to the immediate coastal area was unparalleled. According to estimates, in India alone over 10,000 people were killed and hundreds of thousands were rendered homeless. The most severely affected regions were the states of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Andhra Pradesh and Kerela.

Bayer, in its efforts as a responsible corporate citizen took immediate steps to provide relief to the victims. 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 and the Indian Red Cross.


Cheque being handed over to Ms. Jayalalitha, Hon. Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu


Medical aid sent for the Tsunami victims

Bayer AG, Germany, also contributed €13 million in cash and non-cash donations to the flood victims in Southeast Asia.

As a long-term development project, Bayer alongwith the German Business Community, the German Embassy and Consulate Generals in India have decided to jointly undertake Tsunami reconstruction and rehabilitation work in the affected areas by setting up the “The German Business Community and Consulate General Earthquake Assistance Foundation”. A reputed NGO, Srinivasan Services Trust has been identified as the implementing partner. The plan is to adopt 2-4 villages and undertake sustainable development work there. Direct assistance will also be provided to the worst-effected people, such as the fisher folk, women and children.

Bayer together with other German companies is also involved in setting up a number of medical centers in India and will also contribute towards the salaries of the medical staff for several years. The possibility of building centers such as these in Sri Lanka is also being examined

The Bayer Group worldwide, in its role as a responsible corporate citizen continues to be a firm and active supporter in humanitarian causes, in the countries that it operates in.

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