London – The Vodafone Group Foundation today made a donation of £50,000 to relief agency World Vision towards the emergency relief fund that has been set up following the widespread death and destruction caused by Cyclone Nargis which hit Burma at the weekend.
The grant is made through The Vodafone Group Foundation from its Disaster Response Fund and follows the confirmation from Burma’s leadership that it will accept external assistance as it seeks to deal with the disaster.
The donation from the Vodafone Group Foundation will support the most immediate need – providing clean water. This donation will support the water cleansing equipment, as used after the Tsunami, and help provide clean water for drinking and cooking. World Vision estimates that it will need US$3 million for immediate response.
“We hope that this donation can assist World Vision in its efforts to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the terrible destruction caused by Cyclone Nargis”, said Andrew Dunnett, Director, The Vodafone Group Foundation. “It is anticipated that the emergency relief fund will be specifically used to provide safe water and cleansing equipment”.
The Vodafone Group Foundation is committed to providing assistance in the area of disaster response. Its main aim is to develop partnerships that enhance long term disaster response and preparedness activity, working with organizations such as the United Nations Foundation, Télécoms Sans Frontières, Oxfam and MapAction. It also seeks wherever possible to make a direct contribution in response to critical humanitarian crises.
Télécoms Sans Frontières (TSF) is on stand-by to deploy in the area and is waiting for the authorization of Myanmar’s government to deploy its emergency aid. A first team will be deployed from TSF’s Asian Base is Bangkok to support United Nations agencies.
About The Vodafone Group Foundation
The Vodafone Group Foundation has invested over £100 million in projects since its creation in 2002 concentrating on disaster relief, helping disadvantaged children via sport and music initiatives and specific projects across Vodafone's 23 local Foundations worldwide.
About World Vision
World Vision is a Christian charity and one of the world's leading relief and development agencies, currently helping more than 100 million people in nearly 100 countries in their struggle against poverty, hunger and injustice, irrespective of their religious beliefs.
To find out more about World Vision please visit www.worldvision.org.uk
For more information please contact:
Helen Brockett
The Vodafone Group Foundation
+44 (0)7500 032886
helen.brockett@vodafone.com