Siemens providing aid to Asian tsunami victims

Munich, Germany—Siemens AG reports that it's providing extensive aid to the victims of the recent, catastrophic tsunamis in the Indian Ocean.

By Control Engineering Staff January 11, 2005

Munich, Germany— Siemens AG reports that it’s providing extensive aid to the victims of the recent, catastrophic tsunamis in the Indian Ocean. Besides launching employee donation drives worldwide, the company is focusing on providing local disaster relief, and using its longtime presence in the affected countries to quickly deliver targeted aid. Siemens says many of its employees and customers live in areas affected by the Dec. 26 disaster.

‘This way, help is reaching the places where it is needed the most,’ says Heinrich v. Pierer, Siemens’ CEO.

Siemens’ companies in India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia have begun directing financial and technical assistance to the devastated regions. The donations of Siemens employees, which are being matched by the company, will be used to alleviate the worst suffering. Siemens experts throughout the region are providing the technical support needed to help restore vital infrastructure, such as electricity, telecommunications, and water supplies. Siemens employs 423,000 people in 192 countries worldwide, including 70,000 in the U.S.

In addition, the company is making available medical equipment, such as X-ray and ultrasound systems, to local hospitals. At the moment, the aid measures being provided by the company total more than 1 million euros, and will be increased as needed.

Control Engineering Daily News DeskJim Montague, news editorjmontague@reedbusiness.com