About us
| Rapid assistance after tsunami and Hurricane Katrina disasters |
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Description Disaster preparedness and mitigation is an integral element of Holcim’s commitment to CSR. This commitment made it possible for an extensive aid and reconstruction effort to be immediately launched following the catastrophic tsunami that devastated large parts of Asia. Our Group companies in Sri Lanka, Thailand and Indonesia established relief funds endowed with a total of CHF 4.1 million thanks to the support of the Group, numerous Group companies and employees. Similar support was provided by Holcim US after Hurricane Katrina devastated the southern coastal areas of the United States centered around New Orleans. USD 600,000 was donated to non-profit organizations and affected employees. Initial assistance was provided rapidly and efficiently. Our support of reconstruction efforts to date has been acknowledged in all locations. |
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Objectives The funds that were set up in the disaster-affected areas aimed at providing quick and unbureaucratic help to disaster victims. In each of the three tsunami-affected countries a Holcim Reconstruction Fund was established to administer the use of money. The management boards of these funds included representatives from different organizations, such as local or international NGOs, international organizations and local finance institutes. All efforts made use of our expertise in effective reconstruction and were aimed at helping people to help themselves. |
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Activities In Indonesia, the Holcim Fund managed CHF 1.75 million. Immediately after the disaster, the focus of its activities was on providing medical and humanitarian support for a 16 village community of around 5,000 people. As conditions improved, the Architecture Clinic (ArCli) was established in collaboration with the Indonesian Institute of Architects and the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) as a center for sustainable building materials, architectural design and construction, to offer practical advice for the ongoing reconstruction activities. More on reconstruction of Aceh, Indonesia In Thailand the fund managed CHF 1.3 million, invested in four different projects. These projects enabled the construction of 112 new houses in Phang Nga province, supported by the Thai Bank of Ayudha and the NGO Habitat for Humanity. On Phra Thong island in the same province 19 houses, were built, supported by the Swiss embassy. The fund further supported the construction of a children’s development center in Krabi province, where Siam City Cement, our Thai Group company, and the Swiss Aid Foundation also rebuilt the walkway from the village Phra Thong to Tung Darp harbor. In Sri Lanka, the fund managed CHF 1.5 million in collaboration with different NGOs, such as Sarvodaya Economic Enterprise Development Services (SEEDS) and Ceylinco Grameen. The fund made possible the construction of 650 houses, seven schools and supported several livelihoods projects, including the provision of 500 families with micro-credits. Great value was placed on aid for sustainability. |
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Results Leo Mittelholzer, CEO Siam City Cement Company (SCCC), Thailand: ‘The sheer brutal force of the tsunami turned ‘Heaven on Earth’ to ‘Hell on Earth’ in a fraction of a second. I was impressed by the people who immediately took action and started the rescue operation. I was particularly proud of our own people who took up the flag and showed that the Insee (SCCC) family cares. Our decision to approach the effort with business partners was very important. We were able to create a critical mass which achieved a lot more than we could do on our own, and which the generous contribution of Holcim to the Reconstruction Fund helped make possible. Also very important was ‘helping people to help themselves’ – a cornerstone of our approach to the rebuilding activity.’ Peter Spirig, CEO Holcim Lanka, Sri Lanka: ‘It was not always easy to get the various reconstruction projects underway. Particularly in the east of the country, where authority is unclear, much communication and persuasion was necessary before any foundation stone could be placed. But persistence paid off. In the end, the Fund made possible the construction of some 650 houses, seven schools and several livelihood projects. The Holcim Lanka Fund for Reconstruction was employee-initiated and employee-driven. With workers from shop-floor to management dedicating one week’s salary (a significant commitment) to the Fund, and topped up by contributions from the Holcim world, we created a transparent and independent body which ensured that every dollar and rupee donated found its way to its intended purpose – the reconstruction of buildings, and lives. Tim Mackay, CEO Holcim Indonesia: ‘On the island province of Aceh, the damage wrought was massive, and the long-term effects are still barely understood. We are helping to reconstruct all that was lost, but our efforts are still only a tiny dot in a landscape of tragedy. Slow at the start, frustrating throughout, requiring dedication to overcome every obstacle, we’re still there. The commitment of our people goes far beyond simply handing over a check. Looking back now at all that was achieved in 2005, the way we focused on an overlooked part of the community, the way we adapted as needs changed, taking nothing for granted, we’ve learnt a lot of tough lessons. But we are making a difference, and people now know who Holcim is.’ |
