With winds of nearly 120 miles per hour and a storm surge of 12 feet, Cyclone Nargis made landfall on May 2, tearing through Myanmar’s main rice-growing region, home to about 24 million people—nearly half the country’s population and an area roughly the size of the state of Maryland.

The UN estimates that nearly 2,000 square miles of the Irrawaddy Delta are underwater. The death toll is reported to be around 22,000, and there are fears that it could be significantly higher. An estimated 41,000 people are missing. Relief efforts are difficult, in large part because the storm destroyed roads and communications outlets, but there are relief organizations already on the ground poised to help, and many others that are stocking up on supplies and other resources to ship to the affected regions.

How Your Company Can Help

1) Encourage employees to donate to relief organizations. Click here to see a short list of relief organizations working in Myanmar.
2) Match employee gifts. Some companies match dollar for dollar of each employee contribution, or some companies match up to a certain amount (e.g. the company will match employee contributions up to $5000 total, making the total combined donation $10,000).
3) Enable employees to donate Paid Time Off (PTO) or a day’s salary.
4) Conduct a fundraising campaign such as a bake sale or silent auction.

As we have seen in other disasters, needs for in-kind donations and volunteers will become apparent during the recovery period, after the immediate crisis has passed. Watch for guidance from relief organizations on what type of volunteer and in-kind support is needed as when and how to donate goods such as clothing, food, and medical supplies.

For more ideas, or for help in developing your company’s relief efforts, please contact your EF representative, Joni Podolsky (408-278-2233 or jpodolsky@efbayarea.org) or Jeff Rangel (408-278-2207 or jrangel@efbayarea.org).

Entrepreneurs Foundation is pleased to announce our Do One Thing Environment Initiative to raise awareness on environmental issues and inspire organizations and individuals to Do One Thing to help.

The environment is complex and all the related issues can be overwhelming. EF’s Do One Thing Environment Initiative makes it easy to do something good for the environment.

Get Started Now! Choose one item from EF’s Do One Thing Guide, to help you in your efforts to become a greener company.

Other Resources:
Full Resource List
AngelPoints Volunteer Management Tool
Volunteer Opportunities
10 Quick Tips

Spread the word!

Download these fliers to post at your company to encourage people to get involved.

Environmental Campaign Overview Flier
Waste Reduction Flier
Air Quality Flier