Disaster relief

Disaster Relief 2001-2009

Here is a list of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation's disaster relief activities in 2009 and before.

2009

West Sumatra Earthquake Relief Donation (Indonesia)

In response to the earthquake disaster in West Sumatra, Indonesia on September 30, 2009, Mitsubishi Electric Automotive Indonesia made a donation for earthquake victims through a reliable foundation. Using the donation, the foundation helped by building temporary housing for the victims who had lost their homes. By January 8, 2010, some 1005 temporary houses were given to the West Sumatra government.

In this case, the company donated Rp. 50.000.000 (approximately US$ 5000), while many employees also voluntarily donated a total of Rp. 2.000.000 (around US$ 200).

Typhoon Morakot Relief Efforts (Taiwan)

In August 2009, Taiwan was hit by Typhoon Morakot. Extreme rainstorms triggered enormous mudslides and severe flooding. In southern Taiwan, a whole village was buried under a mudslide. Mitsubishi Electric Taiwan Co., Ltd. donated approximately 10.6 million yen that included "a day's pay" contribution from employees to aid the victims of this tragic disaster. The company's business divisions offered to repair damaged air-conditioning units and CNC products at a reduced service fee for the victims.

2008

Iwate-Miyagi Earthquake Relief Fund (Japan)

On Saturday, June 14, 2008, a great earthquake struck Iwate and Miyagi Prefectures and brought massive damage to the region. Mitsubishi Electric donated 2.5 million yen each to the two prefectures, totaling 5 million yen, through a prefectural community chest as relief aid for the affected areas.

Sichuan Earthquake Relief Efforts (China)

In direct response to the devastating earthquake that struck Sichuan and neighbouring provinces in China on the afternoon of May 12, 2008, Mitsubishi Electric Group companies donated approximately 50 million yen to aid and support the the victims of this tragic disaster. The earthquake claimed more than 69,000 lives, and damage is still extensive in the afflicted areas. Mitsubishi Electric worked fast to provide funds to help in the immediate aftermath of the quake.

2006

Java (Indonesia) Earthquake Relief Efforts

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation offers its heartfelt condolences to all victims of the devastating earthquake that occurred in central Java on May 27, 2006. The company has announced the donation of at least 5,000,000 yen in aid in response to the tragedy, and is currently assessing the local situation in order to best determine when and to which organizations the funds should be dispensed. Mitsubishi Electric sincerely hopes for the quick recovery and reconstruction of the affected area.

2005

Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts (USA)

In late August 2005 a major storm surge caused by Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc along the coastlines of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama in the United States. The levees separating Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans were breached and about 80 percent of the city went underwater. More than 1,400 people have been confirmed dead and another 3,200 remain unaccounted for, possibly swept out to sea. Thousands more were evacuated from New Orleans and other areas to various shelters and homes throughout the United States.

Mitsubishi Electric's Hurricane Katrina disaster relief efforts have included donations by individuals along with matching funds by the MEAF's (open new window)(open new window)Starfish Matches program, generating more than $43,000 for victims. MEAF also gave $10,000 to the Disability Funders Network Disaster Relief Fund to assist people with disabilities affected by disaster. MEAF and (open new window)(open new window)Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America representatives helped facilitate the donation of 16 HDTVs to go to schools serving special-education students on the Mississippi Gulf coast. In addition to such cash and materials donations, employee volunteers collected food, blankets, and other essential items to send to the stricken region.

"I learned about your generous contributions to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. I appreciate your efforts, and our whole Nation is grateful for your kindness… The good works of Mitsubishi Electric demonstrate the character and great strength of our Nation."

US President George W. Bush
October 20, 2005

Aid to Fukuoka Earthquake Victims (Japan)

On March 20, 2005, a powerful earthquake struck the west coast of Fukuoka Prefecture in Japan, injuring hundreds and forcing a number of victims to move to temporary housing on Genkai Island due to the resulting devastation. Mitsubishi Electric made monetary donations and provided commodities like washing machines and materials like helmets, blankets and drinking water to the Fukuoka City government.

2004

Asian Tsunami Relief

On December 26, 2004, a massive undersea earthquake lasting more than ten minutes occurred off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia in the Indian Ocean, resulting in a devastating tsunami that killed more than 280,000 people, making it one of the most deadly disasters in modern history. More than 1.1 million people were displaced from their homes, and countries affected included Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, the Maldives, Somalia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Seychelles and others. Many tourists were also affected, and countries like Sweden and Germany lost over 500 citizens in the disaster. The outpouring of humanitarian relief was unprecedented, and various Mitsubishi Electric group companies around the world as well as the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation made donations totaling 50 million yen to such relief organizations as the Thai Red Cross Society, American Red Cross Society, British Red Cross Society, and others.

Benefit Concert for Sumatra Earthquake Victims (Japan)

The 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia motivated an outpouring of relief from all over the world. At a Mitsubishi Socio-Tech Wind Orchestra concert at Japan's Kamakura Performing Arts Center soon after the tragedy, audience donations were collected and passed along to the Japanese Red Cross Society.

Chuetsu Earthquakes (Japan)

The Mid Niigata Prefecture Earthquake of 2004, also know as the Chuetsu Earthquakes, was a series of earthquakes that rocked Niigata Japan on October 23, 2004, with magnitudes reaching 6.9 on the Richter scale. More than 3,000 injuries were reported, dozens of people lost their lives, and thousands had to be evacuated from their homes. The earthquakes caused much damage to property and municipal facilities, and even derailed a Shinkansen (Bullet train) for the first time in its history. Mitsubishi Electric donated 51 million yen to social welfare facilities as well as various relief efforts.

Get-Well Fund for Chuetsu Earthquake Victims (Japan)

On October 23rd, 2004 a major earthquake struck the Chuetsu area of Japan, leaving devastation in its wake, killing dozens, and injuring thousands. Mitsubishi Electric's relief efforts included the donation of 10 million yen and hundreds of kerosene fan heaters to the Niigata Prefecture Office of Disaster Countermeasures. In addition, the Mitsubishi Electric SOCIO-ROOTS Fund contributed 23.48 million yen, including 11.74 million yen collected through employee donations.

2001

September 11, 2001 (USA)

The terrorist attacks in the United States that occurred on September 11, 2001 motivated an outpouring of volunteer efforts by employees of Mitsubishi Electric group companies. Mitsubishi Electric Power Products in Pennsylvania made an initial contribution of $100,000 to create the Heroes of Flight 93 Memorial Fund to honor the 33 crew and passengers of the doomed United Airlines flight with a memorial at the crash site in Somerset, Pennsylvania. An employee matching gift program helped generate additional dollars for the Fund. Employees of Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America in Ohio created and sold patriotic pins, buttons and shells and donated the proceeds to American Red Cross Relief efforts.

Employees of other group companies threw potluck and pizza fundraising lunches, and others sold ribbons and flags to raise money. In an effort to encourage blood donations at all US locations, the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation matched every blood donation with $10 for the American Red Cross. Mitsubishi Electric in Japan applied the matching gift system of SOCIO-ROOTS to match cash contributions made by individual employees in Japan. Altogether, donations at Mitsubishi Electric in the US and Japan exceeded US$1.2 million.