Contributing to Disaster Relief

When a disaster strikes, the GE family plays a critical role. GE and GE Foundation commit resources and employee support to assist the affected communities. GE Volunteers work through networks at the disaster site to organize local support and align employees in the region. In addition, GE donates its unique products to address needs created by the disaster.

Recent examples of GE disaster relief efforts

Japan Earthquake and Tsunami—March 2011

A record 9.0-magnitude earthquake hit near the Japanese city of Sendai, followed by a powerful 32-foot tsunami that struck northern Japan, leaving more than 10,000 people dead, over 17,000 missing, and nearly 250,000 homeless. Immediately following the disaster, the GE Foundation pledged $5 million in cash, equipment and services toward relief in the coming weeks and months. This includes a total of over USD $1 million in product donations, e.g., Vscan handheld ultrasounds, larger ultrasound units, boroscope cameras that can help peer inside collapsed buildings, and a range of urgently needed supplies such as anesthesia consumables to avert stock-out situations in Miyagi prefecture hospitals.

During GE Chairman and President Jeff Immelt’s visit to Japan afterwards, the GE Foundation pledged an additional $5 million for the long-term relief and recovery within the affected area, including medical and energy equipment and continued support to relief agencies. Additionally, GE employees from 41 countries have pledged more than $1 million in cash to disaster relief organizations associated with the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. With the GE Foundation Matching Gifts, the total surpasses $2 million.

Pakistan Flooding—July 2010

In July, extensive flash flooding caused by severe monsoon-season rains brought devastation to Pakistan. The monsoon rains produced the worst flooding in the region in over 80 years. The flooding killed more than a thousand people and forced surviving villagers to flee what was left of their homes. As a result, 20 million lives and over 62,000 square miles were affected. In response, the GE Foundation awarded $1.25 million in total to relief organizations. $250,000 was given to the International Rescue Committee and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent in support of immediate relief efforts. The additional $1 million was awarded to the World Food Programme to provide much-needed food relief amidst looming concerns over food shortages in the region.

Chile Earthquake—February 2010

An 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck Chile in February 2010, killing over 750 people and impacting more than 2,000,000; the quake triggered tsunami warnings for the entire Pacific basin. Over 180 employees across multiple GE businesses are located in the country, and efforts to secure the safety of these employees, their families and Company structures were successful. In response to the natural disasters, GE announced a $2 million commitment to provide humanitarian assistance to those in need. As part of this commitment, $1.25 million went directly to support the emergency response needs in Chile; the remainder was contributed to the American Red Cross Disaster Response Fund, which provides assistance in the critical first hours and days before and after a disaster strikes.

In addition, with support from the GE Foundation, AmeriCares was able to build and equip a transitional field hospital in Angol, Chile, to help better serve patients in the area after the disaster. The transitional hospital will be operational for a minimum of one year as the new permanent hospital continues to be rebuilt in Angol. Having the field hospital on-site has enabled care for critically injured patients as well as children and expectant mothers.