The devastating earthquake and subsequent Pacific tsunami that struck Japan last week have left millions of people in need. In addition to the lives lost and severe damage from earthquakes, fires and floods, 5 million households are without electricity and 1 million without water. Early estimates reveal more than 370,000 people have been evacuated or displaced.
Many of you have asked how you can contribute to support relief efforts. Financial aid directed to well-networked and on-the-ground organizations will be the most effective means of doing so. Omnicom has elected to contribute through the Red Cross and we are asking that, if able to do so, you support relief efforts through the Red Cross.
The Red Cross has multiple chapters around the world and is a trusted organization in times of disaster when there are lives to be saved and personal safety and security to be guaranteed. The Japanese Red Cross alone has dispatched 95 response teams and mobile medical clinics so far and has been gathering and distributing necessary items including some 74,000 blankets for the most severely impacted areas of Japan.
I am pleased that some of our companies already have begun making donations to the Red Cross. One such effort is from Organic, which will donate proceeds from the sale of its new App, BroadFeed, to the Red Cross.
Please support relief efforts in Japan by donating to the Red Cross. With the Red Cross, Omnicom has set up a customized online donation site. Please click here to donate now. No amount is too small.
Thank you all,
John
