Hey, not something you would want to remember.

 

A drought in China between 1876 and 1879 led to the deaths of 9 million people. (Is a drought considered a natural disaster?)

An earthquake in the eastern Mediterranean in July 1201 killed approximately 1.1 million people--mostly in Egypt and Syria.

The Galveston Hurricane of 1900 is believed to be the deadliest natural disaster in US history with a death toll of 8,000--12,000.

 

I thought of your company's donation when I read the article below on CNN/Money.
__________________________________________________ ________________

(CNN) - Corporations around the world were reaching into their pockets Wednesday to help victims of Sunday's earthquake-triggered tsunamis in southern Asia, donating millions of dollars, supplies and services.

The pharmaceutical company Pfizer Inc. said it will contribute more than $35 million in financial assistance, including donations to relief organizations, products and a program matching agency contributions by its employees.

"In addition to our financial contribution and product donations, we are ensuring that Pfizer colleagues with the needed medical and technical skills are available to assist with the relief effort," said Hank McKinnell, Pfizer chairman and chief executive officer.

Coca-Cola said it is coordinating with governmental and nongovernmental agencies to provide bottled drinking water, basic foodstuffs, medical supplies, survival kits, transportation and distribution assistance along with money, clothes and tents.

Johnson & Johnson reported it is sending six, 10-foot-by-10-foot shipping containers holding first aid equipment, medicine and other medical aid.

Americares, which is providing pharmaceutical and medical supplies, has received donations from firms such as Abbott Labs, Baxter, Hospira, Glaxo Smith-Kline, Proctor & Gamble, Purdue Pharmaceutical, Tyco and the Altria Group.

Anheuser-Busch said it has contacted the International Federation of the Red Cross to offer aid.

Some corporations, such as The Walt Disney Company, haven't decided what they will do to help. A Disney representative told CNN that because of the holidays, it is taking longer than usual to consult with the company's executives. There is money set aside for emergency aid, the person said.

Some companies, such as Amazon.com, were posting links on Web sites to the International Federation of the Red Cross and a few airlines were donating relief flights to the affected region.

More companies will be asked to give, USAID Director Andrew Natsios said at a State Department briefing Wednesday.

"We started a thing -- in fact, Secretary (of State Colin) Powell announced it in 2001 -- called the Global Developmental Alliance, and we now have 200 alliances between AID (Agency for International Development), foundations in the U.S. and nontraditional corporate donors who want to give their corporate money."

Other companies and their assistance plans are:

-- BP: $1 million to the International Federation of the Red Cross and are considering a matching fund program for employees.

-- Hitachi Ltd.: $200,000 in cash; discussing plans to give more.

-- PTT Public Company Ltd., Thailand's gas company: $1.3 million in cash assistance, and about $100,000 in food, fuel and employee contributions.

-- General Electric: $1 million to Red Cross, $100,000 to UNICEF and a matching program for employees.

-- Exxon-Mobil: Affiliates in the region have donated planes and medical supplies. Company plans a financial contribution.

-- Cathay Pacific Airways, based in Hong Kong: supplies and other aid.

-- First Data Western Union: $1 million donation to Red Cross and International Red Crescent Societies. Company says it's the largest donation by the company since it began in 2000.

-- Sears: Its subsidiary Lands End is donating $200,000 worth of merchandise. The company says it usually concentrates on domestic aid.

-- Intel: $100,000 in aid; a matching program is being set up.

-- Cisco Systems: Employee matching program. NetHope consortium, an organization co-founded by Cisco Fellows and several nongovernmental organizations, is providing short-term communications links with Cisco equipment in areas where communications infrastructure was damaged or destroyed. Mobile satellite communications also being provided.

--Time Warner (parent company of CNN/Money): $100,000 each to the American Red Cross International Response Fund and UNICEF South Asia Tsunami Relief Fund. Will match up to $1,000 per employee up to $500,000 for donations to relief groups. AOL unit has pledged $200,000 to the Red Cross, and will match the first $50,000 of employee donations to relief organizations.

 

[QUOTE=johnnydev,Dec 30 2004, 10:59 AM] And

 

^^ I can't speak for anyone but myself, but I didn't have you in mind when I mentioned Bush bashing.

 

Julie

I didn't mean you. I'm sorry for picking up the term "Bush bashing" from your post.

 

Maybe it's time for everyone to go light a fire, grab a nice glass of scotch, and thank our lucky stars that we weren't personally affected by this disaster (at least as far as I know).

Let's keep this thread focused on the tsunami and see if we can avoid comparisons with other disasters (natural and man-made), please. Also, drewchie has started a thread with info about relief agencies, etc., that folks can reference or add to if they like: https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=258266.

Best wishes.

 

[QUOTE=ralper,Dec 30 2004, 12:24 PM]
Boy, oh boy, oh boy.

 

but that's no surprise now is it, and his facts are right on as well.

 

and I thought I was alone here in vinatge