Dow Chemical Gives Major Financial Support For Habitat For Humanity’s Tsunami-Rebuilding Efforts* * * * * US$700,000 Commitment For Homes and Tsunami-Response Technical Centers In Three Countries
June 20, 2005
BANGKOK, 20th June 2005: Habitat for Humanity has received a US700,000 commitment from The Dow Chemical Company to support rebuilding efforts in countries affected by last December’s deadly tsunami.
Strong commitment: Dow is supporting Habitat’s work in tsunami-affected areas to the some of US700,000.
The contribution will provide for the building of 150 homes and two Habitat tsunami-response technical centers in tsunami-impacted areas of India, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.
The grant is part of a three-phase US5 million relief plan Dow has undertaken in response to the tsunami, said Sarah Opperman, Dow vice president. “Having employees, customers and community presences in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and India, we acutely experience the magnitude of their loss and pledge to provide solutions to improve their living conditions, both in the immediate future and long-term sustainability.”
Habitat for Humanity International’s chief executive Paul Leonard said, “This Dow grant is a critical step forward for us as we continue to move to help people so tragically impacted by the tsunami, and others so in need throughout the world.”
“We have had the privilege of working with Dow in a number of our traditional projects. Their support in this disaster rebuilding effort is particularly meaningful to us and those we serve.”’
The Dow Chemical Company Foundation made its first financial pledge – of US1 million – more than 20 years ago for Habitat for Humanity affiliates to use to build homes. To date, Dow’s financial contributions have totaled more than US10 million.
This year, Dow is an event-wide sponsor of the 22nd annual Jimmy Carter Work Project, which brings the former president and his wife, Rosalynn, together with thousands of volunteers across Michigan, USA, and Windsor, in Ontario, Canada. Some 230 new homes are being built for families in need during this year’s JCWP, which runs between 19th and 24th June.
Dow is a leader in science and technology, providing innovative chemical, plastic and agricultural products and services to many essential consumer markets. With annual sales of US40 billion, Dow serves customers in 175 countries and a wide range of markets that are vital to human progress: food, transportation, health and medicine, personal and home car, and building and construction, among others. Committed to the principles of sustainable development, Dow and its 43,000 employees seek to balance economic, environmental and social responsibilities.
Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing. By mid-2005, Habitat will have built its 200,000th houses and more than one million people will be living in Habitat homes they helped build and are buying through non-profit, zero-interest mortgages. For more information, visit www.habitat.org.