There When People Need Us the Most
When disaster strikes, quick response means the difference between life and death. And for victims, suffering and inconvenience can last a lifetime. Mitsubishi Electric has been increasing its philanthropic aid to areas afflicted by natural disasters like earthquakes, inclement weather, and more. These include direct financial and material contributions by the company, financial contributions by individual employees with matching funds provided by the company through SOCIO-ROOTS, and volunteer efforts by individual employees.
Sichuan (China) Earthquake
In direct response to the devastating earthquake that struck Sichuan and neighbouring provinces in China on the afternoon of May 12, 2008, Mitsubishi Electric Group companies donated approximately 50 million yen to aid and support the the victims of this tragic disaster. The earthquake claimed more than 69,000 lives, and damage is still extensive in the afflicted areas. Mitsubishi Electric worked fast to provide funds to help in the immediate aftermath of the quake.
Hurricane Katrina
In late August 2005 a major storm surge caused by Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc along the coastlines of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama in the United States. The levees separating Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans were breached and about 80 percent of the city went underwater. More than 1,400 people have been confirmed dead and another 3,200 remain unaccounted for, possibly swept out to sea. Thousands more were evacuated from New Orleans and other areas to various shelters and homes throughout the United States.
Mitsubishi Electric's Hurricane Katrina disaster relief efforts have included donations by individuals along with matching funds by the MEAF's Starfish Matches program, generating more than $43,000 for victims. MEAF also gave $10,000 to the Disability Funders Network Disaster Relief Fund to assist people with disabilities affected by disaster. MEAF and Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America representatives helped facilitate the donation of 16 HDTVs to go to schools serving special-education students on the Mississippi Gulf coast. In addition to such cash and materials donations, employee volunteers collected food, blankets, and other essential items to send to the stricken region.
"I learned about your generous contributions to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. I appreciate your efforts, and our whole Nation is grateful for your kindness... The good works of Mitsubishi Electric demonstrate the character and great strength of our Nation."
US President George W. Bush
October 20, 2005
Asian Tsunami
On December 26, 2004, a massive undersea earthquake lasting more than ten minutes occurred off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia in the Indian Ocean, resulting in a devastating tsunami that killed more than 280,000 people, making it one of the most deadly disasters in modern history. More than 1.1 million people were displaced from their homes, and countries affected included Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, the Maldives, Somalia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Seychelles and others. Many tourists were also affected, and countries like Sweden and Germany lost over 500 citizens in the disaster. The outpouring of humanitarian relief was unprecedented, and various Mitsubishi Electric group companies around the world as well as the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation made donations totaling 50 million yen to such relief organizations as the Thai Red Cross Society, American Red Cross Society, British Red Cross Society, and others.
Benefit Concert for Sumatra Earthquake Victims
The 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia motivated an outpouring of relief from all over the world. At a Mitsubishi Socio-Tech Wind Orchestra concert at Japan's Kamakura Performing Arts Center soon after the tragedy, audience donations were collected and passed along to the Japanese Red Cross Society.
Chuetsu (Japan) Earthquakes
The Mid Niigata Prefecture Earthquake of 2004, also know as the Chuetsu Earthquakes, was a series of earthquakes that rocked Niigata Japan on October 23, 2004, with magnitudes reaching 6.9 on the Richter scale. More than 3,000 injuries were reported, dozens of people lost their lives, and thousands had to be evacuated from their homes. The earthquakes caused much damage to property and municipal facilities, and even derailed a Shinkansen (Bullet train) for the first time in its history. Mitsubishi Electric donated 51 million yen to social welfare facilities as well as various relief efforts.
Get-Well Fund for Chuetsu Earthquake Victims
On October 23rd, 2004 a major earthquake struck the Chuetsu area of Japan, leaving devastation in its wake, killing dozens, and injuring thousands. Mitsubishi Electric's relief efforts included the donation of 10 million yen and hundreds of kerosene fan heaters to the Niigata Prefecture Office of Disaster Countermeasures. In addition, the Mitsubishi Electric SOCIO-ROOTS Fund contributed 23.48 million yen, including 11.74 million yen collected through employee donations.
Aid to Fukuoka Earthquake Victims
On March 20, 2005, a powerful earthquake struck the west coast of Fukushima Prefecture in Japan, injuring hundreds and forcing a number of victims to move to temporary housing on Genkai Island due to the resulting devastation. Mitsubishi Electric made monetary donations and provided commodities like washing machines and materials like helmets, blankets and drinking water to the Fukuoka City government.
September 11, 2001
The terrorist attacks in the United States that occurred on September 11, 2001 motivated an outpouring of volunteer efforts by employees of Mitsubishi Electric group companies. Mitsubishi Electric Power Products in Pennsylvania made an initial contribution of $100,000 to create the Heroes of Flight 93 Memorial Fund to honor the 33 crew and passengers of the doomed United Airlines flight with a memorial at the crash site in Somerset, Pennsylvania. An employee matching gift program helped generate additional dollars for the Fund. Employees of Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America in Ohio created and sold patriotic pins, buttons and shells and donated the proceeds to American Red Cross Relief efforts.
Employees of other group companies threw potluck and pizza fundraising lunches, and others sold ribbons and flags to raise money. In an effort to encourage blood donations at all US locations, the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation matched every blood donation with $10 for the American Red Cross. Mitsubishi Electric in Japan applied the matching gift system of SOCIO-ROOTS to match cash contributions made by individual employees in Japan. Altogether, donations at Mitsubishi Electric in the US and Japan exceeded US$1.2 million.
