MANILA, Philippines - Cargill, an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services, continues its efforts to aid the survivors of Super Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) by giving an additional $120,000 (P 5.2 million) to support the immediate relief and rehabilitation operations in affected areas.
The additional $120,000 takes the total amount donated by Cargill to $500,000.
Cargill responded immediately when the company learnt of the impact of Yolanda on the lives of the people in the Philippines by giving an initial donation of $100,000.
In the week following, Cargill employees actively participated in various on-site volunteer projects, such as the re-packing and distribution of relief goods in Capiz and Ormoc City in Leyte and, most recently, Bantayan Islands in Cebu.
Partnering with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), the largest corporate-led, non-profit social development foundation in the Philippines, the cash donation will be used to deliver life-saving and early recovery assistance, including food and comfort packs that adhere to the internationally-accepted SPHERE standard in disaster response.
The funds would also be used to distribute shelter repair kits which are intended to help mend survivors’ damaged houses.
“We deeply sympathize with those who have been affected by the recent disaster and remain committed to standing by them by ensuring that their basic needs are fulfilled,†said Philip Soliven, Cargill Philippines president, who shared that the company is also developing long-term rehabilitation and reconstruction programs to create livelihood opportunities for the affected communities.
To date, the company has raised more than $ 500,000 (P 21.5 million) for its Yolanda relief efforts, including a $130,000 (P 5.6 million) contribution to the United Nations World Food Program’s (WFP) emergency response plan.
“Giving back to the impacted communities is reflective of how we conduct our business at Cargill and how we measure our success,†adds Soliven.
Founded in 1865, Cargill entered the Philippine market in 1947.
It established its first office in the country – which was also its first in Asia – in 1948.
Presently headquartered in Makati City, Cargill Philippines’ local operations include animal nutrition, grain and oilseed origination, processing and marketing, and food and beverage ingredients.