Disaster Response

In terms of natural disasters, 2008 was the deadliest year in Asia Pacific since 2004. More than 220,000 people died as a result of catastrophes in countries such as China and Myanmar, and many of the impacted communities are still recovering.

Citi Asia Pacific has a strong tradition of supporting communities when they are hit by natural disasters, and 2008 was no exception:

Following the China snowstorms in February, Citi China gave US$137,000 to the Red Cross Society of China, with almost half of this amount donated by employees in Mainland China, Hong Kong and Singapore

When Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar in May, Citi employees in Australia and Singapore quickly raised US$22,000 to support disaster relief activities via the Red Cross

To support long-term reconstruction and rebuild livelihoods in Sichuan, the Citi Foundation awarded a US$200,000 grant to the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan to promote bamboo-linked employment opportunities for families affected by the earthquake

Since 1999, the Citi Foundation has given US$9.2 million to help local communities recover from natural disasters in Asia Pacific

Extensive Support after the Sichuan Earthquake

In addition to Citi Foundation grants, Citi Asia Pacific’s disaster response activities include making monetary and in-kind donations, facilitating employee and customer fundraising, mobilising volunteers, and using our networks and expertise to help the affected areas.

After the devastating earthquake that struck Sichuan Province on May 12, 2008, which left more than 80,000 dead and 10 million homeless, Citi employed all of these tactics to support relief and reconstruction efforts:

Over US$1.3 million was given to disaster relief agencies such as the Red Cross as a result of Citi Foundation grant-making, Citi business donations, and employee donations from around the world

An additional US$100,000 in customer donations was generated through Citibank branches, Citibank Online, and CitiPhone in China

Citi has continued to support disaster-reconstruction efforts in areas impacted by the Sichuan earthquake, ranging from a grant to launch a Sustainable Bamboo Enterprise Programme to Citi employees volunteering in this home building project in Pengzhou, near Chengdu.

Citi China coordinated a relief drive to collect emergency items such as milk powder, diapers, clothes, blankets, tents and medical supplies that were air-freighted to Sichuan

Nineteen Citi employees in Beijing spent around 140 hours helping to handle calls received through an emergency hotline run by the China Youth Development Foundation, as well as taking care of reception and cashier duties, and doing translation work

Guangzhou and Shenzhen staff raised additional funds to build Project Hope classrooms in parts of Sichuan Province that were affected by the earthquake