Earthquake victims in Haiti
Haiti, one of the world’s poorest countries, was struck by an earthquake on 12 January 2010. The terrible impact of this disaster, the cost in terms of lives lost and the misery it has brought to the people of Haiti are incalculable. The estimated number of potential fatalities ranges from 50,000 to 200,000 people and the country is dealing with an unprecedented level
of devastation.
On 21 January 2010, Umicore launched a fundraising for the earthquake victims in Haiti. Umicore does not have any operations in the area and no employees were directly affected by the disaster. The sheer scale of the disaster has, however, led several colleagues to enquire about ways in which we could act and as a result we have been looking at different possibilities to support the victims in a meaningful way. Umicore has a shareholding in a microfinance organization – Incofin – which is working with a local microfinancing institution that has a network in place in Haiti, so the Group decided to support this organization.
A corporate bulk donation was granted and all worldwide site and individual donations were doubled by Umicore. Through Incofin's partner, ACME, in Haiti, the total amount was donated entirely to their small enterpreneurs-customers who lost everything in the earthquake. Depending on their needs, the money will used to rebuild their houses and/or to start up their business again. In line with our sustainability philosophy, Umicore supports this longer term initiative as it will help the victims to build a new future.
If you would like to know more about Incofin, you can visit its website:
http://www.incofin.com/en