Industry Responds Generously To Tsunami Relief Staff report

Plumbing & Mechanical's parent company, BNP Media, joined many other industry firms in donating funds and/or services to the Asian tsunami relief efforts with its $25,000 pledge to the American Red Cross's International Response Fund. Organizations and manufacturers pledging support include:

The Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating made a $2,500 donation to the Red Cross, and is encouraging its members to donate.

Danfoss employees' contributions to the Asia Relief Effort are being doubled by the Danfoss Fabrikant Mads Clausen Foundation. Also, Danfoss donated three systems to convert seawater into drinking water, and chartered one of its private airplanes to help in the initial rescue.

Flowserve Corp. announced that, on behalf of its 14,000 employees, it would donate up to $100,000 to the Red Cross for relief efforts in Southeast Asia. Flowserve made an initial donation of $50,000 to the Red Cross and conducted a fundraising drive that will match dollar-for-dollar the first $50,000 donated by its employees.

Honeywell donated $1 million through the company's Honeywell Hometown Solutions initiative for tsunami relief efforts. The donation is targeted for programs to rebuild damaged and destroyed communities and provide basic necessities for survivors.

A team of employee volunteers from Bangalore, India, is supporting a 90-day construction effort to rebuild 50 homes in one of the most severely affected villages. And each of the company's 1,500 employees in Pune, India, has agreed to donate one day's salary to relief efforts. Teams of employees have also delivered clothes, utensils and other basic amenities to the Indian village of Kulachol.

IPSCO Inc. donated $100,000 to the Red Cross South Asia Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund. Half was pledged during a Regina (Canada) radio station media blitz to help the Canadian Red Cross raise money. The other $50,000 will be provided to the American Red Cross. Also, the company established an Employee Donations Fund to facilitate personal donations from its employees in Canada and the United States, and will match every dollar contributed.

ITT Industries donated 60 portable, diesel-powered ST1 water treatment units for delivery to some of the hardest-hit areas, and intends to ship gas-fed chlorinators to relief organizers to treat contaminated water. The company also donated $500,000 to agencies working on a global basis.

The Mechanical Contractors Association of America made a $5,000 donation to the Save the Children Asian Earthquake/Tsunami Relief Fund, and is encouraging its members to make contributions.

Water Quality Affected

The threat of waterborne disease in 13 affected countries is high and will remain so for the foreseeable future. The Water Quality Association is working with Water For People (established through the American Water Works Association) to deliver aid. WFP is not a disaster relief organization, but is acting as a liaison with international organizations that specialize in relief work. It has offered to find water professionals who can help with technical assessments, engineering consulting, water quality evaluation, and other technical assistance.

Water For People is also accepting donations for long-term water and sanitation development projects in the area. Contact Steve Werner at swerner@waterforpeople.org for details.

No doubt there are other industry organizations that have contributed to the relief effort. We were made aware of the ones here through either press releases or notices on Web sites.