CA, Canon pledges $300,000 aid for tsunami victims

BANGALORE: Computer Associates and Canon have pledged a combined amount of over $300,000 for the worst ever tsunami-ravaged areas across Asia. While CA has donated $200,000, Canon has contributed over $100,000 to aid the relief work for the victims affected by the water based natural disaster.

In addition, CA will provide its standard two-for-one match to all employees giving to international aid organizations through the company's matching gifts program. "It's one of the world's most tragic disasters to have ever occurred. Thousands of lives have been affected and we would like to do our bit in terms of providing assistance to the victims", said Pravir Arora, Director Marketing, India and SAARC, Computer Associates.

Meanwhile Canon Singapore Pte Ltd, the regional headquarters for South and South East Asia is spearheading a donation drive across its companies in the region to provide financial assistance in the aftermath of the tsunami catastrophe. It will initiate a $36,585 donation to the Singapore Red Cross Society and has requested that the organization divide the donations into three equal portions to assist the tsunami waves victims in Indonesia, Maldives and Sri Lanka, where Canon does not have subsidiary offices. Canon Singapore Pte Ltd is also collating donations from its 750 staff and will round up the contributions by this Friday.

On top of the contribution, Canon Singapore has also set aside another $30,000 for its five key distributors in these three countries to contribute to organizations of their choice to help relief efforts in their respective countries. Its distributor in Indonesia has already identified 'Tim Relawan Sanggar Ciliwung' for the donation there.

At the same time, Canon group of companies in the region is also making donations in their respective countries such as Canon in Malaysia contributing $20,000, Thailand with $20,000 and India doling out $10,000.