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GSK’s response to natural disasters in South East Asia

12 October 2009

In response to the multiple natural disasters in South East Asia, GSK led a number of recovery efforts which included product and in-kind donations, employee and matched giving contributions, volunteer efforts and cash donations.  The value of aid provided (cash, product and in-kind donations) for all countries was $2 million.

Below is a summary of activities in each country:

Indonesia
GSK Indonesia partnered with humanitarian relief providers, AmeriCares and International Medical Corps to make product donations of our medicines.  Working with the Ministry of Health Office of Health Provision, local hospital directors and NGO medical personnel, a new water system and supply for Djamil Hospital was installed. The project provided rehabilitation education and equipment for 300 people injured in the earthquake and helped restore the capacity for hospitals and clinics damaged by the earthquake to treat patients.  

GSK Indonesia is recommending a partner organisation to work with on longer-term recovery efforts.

Philippines
In the Philippines, 168 GSK employees were directly affected by Typhoon Ondoy, suffering significant damage to their homes. A matched giving scheme was rapidly set up to help those affected.

In addition to medicine donations, GSK Philippines employees gave up a week to volunteer to assist colleagues and communities in the affected area including support to evacuation centres to help with food preparation and distribution of medical needs.  
 
Samoa
GSK New Zealand (NZ) worked with NZ government to provide medicines and a donation was made to the Red Cross New Zealand to assist recovery efforts as the request of the Samoan Authorities.

Vietnam
Medicines were donated to an outpatient hospital in Hue, Vietnam which runs seven specialty clinics. GSK Vietnam is recommending a partner organisation to work with on a programme for longer-term recovery efforts.