KONGSBERG Donates NOK 800 000 to Haiti

 
Photo: Norwegian Red Cross 

The Kongsberg Group will donate NOK 800 000 to the Red Cross in support of their humanitarian work for the earthquake victims in Haiti. The campaign is a collaboration project between the employees and the management of KONGSBERG.

Half the amount has been donated by employees in KONGSBERG who have agreed to have one hour of their work deducted from their wages. The other half is donated by the company.

The earthquake in Haiti on the 12th January 2010 has turned out to be one of the deadliest natural disasters of our time. Approximately three million people live in the areas that have been afflicted the hardest. Many have lost their family, their home and everything they own. It is estimated that 70 per cent of the buildings were destroyed in these areas. According to the authorities in the country, more than 200 000 people have died and hundreds of thousands are homeless.

“This is an incomprehensible tragedy for those who live in this area. The earthquake is a reminder of how vulnerable poor people are to natural disasters,” says CEO of KONGSBERG, Walter Qvam.

Setting an example Secretary General of the Norwegian Red Cross, Børge Brende, is very thankful for the donation made by KONGSBERG.

“I would like to thank the management and employees of KONGSBERG for their generous donation to the work of the Red Cross in Haiti. I think it is exceptional that the employees have donated an hour of their work to the victims of the earthquake. This sets an example for other companies,” comments Brende.

Several thousand people are still homeless and will need help getting food, water and shelter for months and years. The Red Cross will keep up their operations in Haiti for a long time to come.

“I will travel back to Haiti shortly to evaluate which measures we need to take. We are now entering the crucial rebuilding phase and this important work is made possible by contributors such as KONGSBERG,” concludes Brende.