Responsible Leadership

Providing Support for Victims of Natural Disasters

Our hearts go out to those who are affected by the Atlantic hurricanes and storms, as well as the many people who are affected by the severe flooding in Bahir, India, and the earthquake in southwest China.

In times of disaster, Microsoft and its employees work to contribute resources and technology solutions to assist humanitarian organizations in their emergency response efforts. This has included donations of money, time, expertise, and the development of technology solutions to aid these organizations so that much-needed information and aid can reach those who are in need of assistance.

We encourage interested parties to consider donating to organizations that are involved in the humanitarian relief efforts in affected areas. In the wake of the recent hurricanes, the flooding in India, and the earthquake in China, Microsoft is working with the following organizations, among others, and invites you to consider them in your giving:

Community relief organizations frequently request access to Microsoft technology and the time and talent of Microsoft employees to ensure that they are using technology effectively in their disaster response. Similarly, Microsoft employees often express interest in and commitment to disaster response initiatives.

Microsoft has long played a significant role in disaster response, largely motivated by employees’ interest in seeing the company engaged. Through these experiences, we have seen that Microsoft can bring unique value to the response arena.

Microsoft makes targeted investments to strengthen and build the technology capacity of responding agencies. Our focus has long been on working with nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to strengthen their technology infrastructure so that they are able to fulfill their missions and respond in times of need. Rather than only responding in times of need, Microsoft works in partnership with these organizations to increase their technology capacity in preparation for future events. We have a long-standing partnership with NetHope—a nonprofit IT consortium of leading international NGOs—to provide technology resources and support to its member organizations and to work closely with NetHope and its members.

Most of what Microsoft does—and will continue to do—in responding to disasters, is to support relief agencies through cash and software grants. We occasionally use other tools to complement the response efforts of others, for example, using Web properties to amplify the work of our NGO partners.

Learn more about Microsoft disaster response efforts.

Learn more about NetHope and its member organizations. (nethope.org)