Report on the NYK Group's Support for Countries Affected by the Sumatra Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster
April 28, 2005
Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK Line) and its Group companies have put together a diverse range of support activities for countries affected by the recent earthquakes off Sumatra and the tsunami disaster. These volunteer activities include free transport of aid supplies in addition to charity auctions, fundraising campaigns, and monetary contributions.
Aid supplies transported from all over the world by the NYK Group's ships and vessels range from food and drinking water to hygiene and medical supplies to daily necessities. These supplies would fill over 600 20-foot-long shipping containers.
In Japan, the NYK Group has jointly implemented the "NYK Group JPF Joint Transport of Aid Supplies Project" with Japan Platform, an international humanitarian assistance organization that facilitates cooperation between NGOs and business enterprises. Aid supplies transported to Sri Lanka and Indonesia amounted to a total of 65 million yen (approximately US$613,000) and included sugar, rice, cans of fish, other food products, infection-treating equipment sets, electrocardiographs, other medical equipment, soap, and other hygiene supplies. Local government officials and local staff members at The Japan Center for Conflict Prevention and the Association for Aid and Relief, Japan presented these supplies to disaster victims.
Meanwhile, the project draws attention as the first-ever specific example of collaboration between a Japanese company and an NGO to provide assistance to disaster victims.
Moreover, in addition to providing free transportation, the NYK Group has independently organized a variety of supplemental activities. Nearly 60 million yen (approximately US$570,000) was raised directly from Group directors and employees and through matching gifts, proceeds from charity auctions, and donations from Group companies. And all of this has been given to the Japan Red Cross, Japan Platform, and other support groups in Japan and overseas.
Since some disaster areas are still affected by earthquakes and related calamities, reconstruction is anticipated to be a lengthy process. The NYK Group hopes to be of as much assistance as possible through support activities for disaster victims.
The NYK Group strives to act as an exemplary corporate citizen, living harmoniously within a global society, by proactively executing activities helpful to society.