[SatNews] Tom Enders, Chief Executive Officer of Airbus Group and Chairman of the Airbus Foundation, today handed over a cheque for € 121,296 to Birgitte Olsen, Head of Global Logistics Service at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The donation was made in support of the victims of the devastating earthquakes that hit Nepal in April and May of this year.
After the tragic events, an emergency appeal was launched across Airbus Group to support this cause. Within only a few weeks, employees had donated a total of € 60,648, a figure that was then matched by the Airbus Foundation.
Birgitte Olsen, Head of Global Logistics Service at the IFRC (centre), receives the donation to support the IFRC’s activities in Nepal by Tom Enders, Chairman of the Airbus Foundation (left) and Andrea Debbane, Executive Director of the Airbus Foundation (right).
“I am impressed and thankful for the strong commitment of our employees to this humanitarian cause. The IFRC has already provided help to hundreds of thousands of survivors in Nepal and we hope our contribution will help to support its ongoing relief efforts,” said Tom Enders, Chief Executive Officer of Airbus Group and Chairman of the Airbus Foundation. “The Airbus Foundation has a strong working relationship with the IFRC to help those affected by natural disasters and we will remain committed to this in the future.”
“On behalf of the IFRC, I would like to sincerely thank the Airbus Foundation and employees of Airbus Group for this compassionate and generous cash contribution,” said Birgitte Olsen, Head of Global Logistics Service at the IFRC. “It is very inspiring to see the social commitment of Airbus Group and the dedication of its staff to support people affected by the disastrous earthquakes in Nepal. It shows how working in partnership enables us to address humanitarian needs.”
In addition to the fundraising effort, the Foundation provided helicopter flight hours, two air transport missions and assessment satellite imagery to the humanitarian community.
The Airbus Foundation, chaired by Tom Enders, CEO of Airbus Group, includes Airbus, Airbus Helicopters and Airbus Defence and Space as founding and contributing members. It is the company’s vehicle for corporate philanthropy, using the Group’s resources, aeronautic and space products, competencies, diverse workforce and culture for driving innovation to address societal issues. In particular, the Foundation supports the global humanitarian community and inspires and prepares young people for the challenges of tomorrow. Since its launch in December 2008, the Airbus Foundation has facilitated more than 40 relief or goodwill flights to numerous destinations around the globe.