An update on our response to Hurricane Harvey

[News Bot]

Across the country, we watched as Hurricane Harvey hit Texas with devastating force last Friday night. As the crisis continues to unfold, our thoughts are with the millions of people in Houston and throughout the Gulf Coast who are impacted by this disaster, which has been described as unprecedented in scale and scope.

 

Since the weekend we’ve been in close contact with nonprofit partners and organizations leading the relief efforts in Texas to understand the specific needs they have. Based on their feedback, we have taken some immediate steps. We are contributing $2.5 million in cash, technology and services to support relief efforts and to help nonprofit and public-sector organizations as they assist the community in recovery. This includes an initial cash donation to the American Red Cross for its most pressing needs.

 

We have also harnessed the generosity of our employees in the U.S. through our employee giving program. Every dollar contributed by our employees to relief organizations working in the area will be matched dollar for dollar by Microsoft. To date, this effort has already raised $100,000 for organizations including the American Red Cross and Team Rubicon. As our employees continue to donate in the days and weeks ahead, we’ll continue to scale the impact of their giving by matching these donations.

 

To raise awareness and make it easier for people across the country to make donations toward relief and recovery efforts, we are using our company websites and social media channels —which together reach millions of people — to highlight the need and opportunity to help through the American Red Cross.

 

Beyond these immediate steps, our long-term goal is to help the communities across the region to recover and residents to rebuild their lives. As in other disasters, we will focus on working closely with the nonprofits and government agencies that play such a vital role in supporting the community. This model of providing immediate aid, followed by support for long-term recovery, is one we’ve deployed in response to 300+ disasters over the last 30 years.

 

We’re committed to continuing to play our part this week, and in the months and years ahead.

 

We are standing by and ready to do more.

 

The post An update on our response to Hurricane Harvey appeared first on The Official Microsoft Blog.

 

Continue reading...