Mastercard Donates to Asian Disaster Areas
November 4, 2009 by admin
Filed under Initiatives
MasterCard Worldwide announced recently its contribution of USD200,000 in total to the Red Cross in India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, to aid victims affected by natural disasters in these countries.
MasterCard Worldwide Vice President, Southeast and South Asia, Ajay Bhalla, said:
MasterCard Worldwide is deeply concerned for all who have been affected by these natural disasters, and we would like to do our part to assist with relief efforts. We convey our deepest condolences for the loss of lives and devastation caused by the disasters… Through the Red Cross in India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, we hope our donation will assist local authorities with the coordinated efforts to provide emergency relief goods and services to those affected by this natural disaster.
Severe flooding triggered by heavy rains in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka in India over the first week of October killed more than 300 people and left at least 1.5 million homeless. Sumatra, hit by 7.6 and 6.8 magnitude quakes over two days, left thousands trapped under rubble and brought scores of buildings crashing to the ground in Padang. In the Philippines and Vietnam, Typhoon Ketsana swept through towns and villages, causing severe flooding and extensive infrastructural damage.
In the area of philanthropy, Mastercard has established its own foundation, the MasterCard Foundation, an independent private foundation with over USD2 billion in assets. The foundation’s global mandate is to enable people living in poverty to improve their lives and the lives of their families and communities by expanding their access to micro-finance and education. It was established in 2006. ◊
