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Diageo Company: |
Diageo - Global |
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NGO partner: |
Various |
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Project timescale: |
January 2005 - 2008 |
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Aims: |
provide immediate emergency relief to the affected regions |
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invest in longer-term sustainable regeneration projects in partnership with local NGOs |
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Focus area: |
Local Citizens |
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Diageo employees all over the world were shocked by the Sumatran earthquake and resulting tsunami on 26 December 2004. Our first action was to confirm the safety of our colleagues and offer support to those affected. Having contacted the authorities of each country in the region to learn how best we could help the developing relief efforts, we made immediate emergency contributions to the appropriate local disaster funds in six countries.
Across Diageo many employees asked how they could make a longer-term contribution to the disaster recovery efforts. On 6 January we opened a global Diageo Tsunami Relief Fund and matched pound-for-pound all donations made by employees in response to the appeal. Within ten weeks the total available exceeded £1 million, made up of £600,000 from the Diageo Foundation, £300,000 from Diageo businesses and £225,000 from employees.
After consultation with our businesses and community partners in the affected countries, the funds were invested in medium- and long-term reconstruction projects in India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Work includes the rebuilding of homes, repair of fishing boats and equipment, restoration of transport links and support for the tourist industry. For the latest report on progress, please click here.
Funds have also been donated to local aid agencies in Malaysia, Maldives and Seychelles and a £50,000 Champion a Charity fund set up to provide ten grants to tsunami projects with which Diageo employees are personally involved.