The Vodafone Group Foundation today announced its commitment to help victims of the recent floods which have destroyed homes and lives across India. The Vodafone Group Foundation will donate a total of over Rs 1.2 crores (£150,000) to assist recent flood victims in India, of which, Rs 40 lakhs (£50,000) is via Oxfam’s ‘South Asia’ appeal, and the balance Rs 80 lakhs (£ 100,000) will be through local initiatives which are in the process of being identified.

The donation to Oxfam will help provide approximately 10,000 people across the worst affected areas with temporary shelter. This donation will also work alongside the Foundation’s ongoing contribution to Oxfam’s disaster relief programme, The 365 Alliance, which is an initiative aimed at funding a global rapid response team of aid workers to be deployed to disasters wherever and whenever they happen around the World.

Arun Sarin, Vodafone Chief Executive said: “We are proud to be operating in India and to be able to support the wider community by helping those affected by the floods. As a responsible company we believe it is our duty to contribute, through our Foundations, to large-scale disasters which impact on communities where Vodafone is present.”

The Vodafone Group Foundation is committed to providing assistance in the area of disaster response. Its main aim is to develop partnerships which enhance long term disaster response and preparedness activity, working with organisations such as the United Nations Foundation, Telecoms Sans Frontieres, Oxfam and MapAction. It also seeks wherever possible to make a direct contribution in response to critical humanitarian crises.

The Vodafone Group Foundation has invested over £100 million in projects since its creation in 2002 with projects concentrating on disaster relief, helping disadvantaged children via sport and music initiatives and specific initiatives across Vodafone's 22 local Foundations worldwide.