Posted on 04/27/2015 2:59:06 PM PDT by dayglored
Microsoft is deeply saddened by the devastating events of the Nepal earthquake and we extend our deepest sympathies to all whom have been impacted. We are providing a minimum of $1 million in donations of cash, technology and services to the rescue and recovery effort in Nepal.
This includes an immediate monetary donation to NetHope a consortium of 40+ international non-governmental organizations that specializes in improving IT connectivity among humanitarian organizations in developing countries and areas affected by disaster to support the nonprofits deployment and response operations.
In addition, we want to help provide people with alternative methods of communication to reach friends and family in the region during this difficult time and therefore, we are making all Skype calls to landlines and mobiles in and out of Nepal free of charge, with immediate effect.
As well, we have activated our internal Microsoft employee Giving web site to encourage and match donations from Microsoft employees to first-responder organizations in the region, including American Red Cross, Direct Relief, International Medical Corps, Mercy Corps and World Vision.
Finally, we are in the midst of direct conversations with government officials, nonprofits and businesses in the region to determine the best deployment of our technology in this time of need and hour by hour, we will continue to assess how our technology and people can help with the rescue and relief efforts in Nepal.
In other words, they’re forming another non-profit organization to funnel millions of dollars to the coffers of liberal elites on the facade they intend to help those who are impoverished and stricken from the quake.
Had they charity in their heart, the gifts would have already been given and they wouldn’t attempt to influence the local authorities who already have their hands full.
So MSFT donates it’s own money. Apple asks for donations while it sits on BILLIONS of $$$$.
http://www.cnet.com/news/tech-companies-rally-behind-nepal-earthquake-survivors/
Wow, tough crowd tonight. :)
Apple, Google, Facebook and Twitter are pitching in to help survivors of the catastrophic Nepal earthquake that occurred over the weekend.Apple has launched a partnership with the American Red Cross, asking iTunes users to donate money through its iTunes Store for the relief efforts. Apple says that 100 percent of the donations will be made to the American Red Cross in its ongoing efforts to help survivors. Twitter is also helping to raise funds through not-for-profit organizations, including UNICEF.
Google has launched its Person Finder to help people determine whether those who may have been in the area of the earthquake are safe. Person Finder users can say whether they're "looking for someone" or "have information about someone." The service is designed for victims or people who know victims to update their family and friends on their current status. For instance, the service can provide peace-of-mind to family members, telling them that a victim is safe and sound. Google has also reduced its international calls charge to Nepal via its phone service Google Voice to one cent per minute. The company previously charged 19 cents per minute to call Nepal.
Google engineer Dan Fredinburg, who worked in the company's Project X division, was among at least 17 climbers killed when an avalanche set off by the 7.8-magnitude earthquake rolled into the climbers' base camp on Mount Everest. His death was confirmed by Google, which indicated that three other Google employees were on the mountain with Fredinburg at the time of the avalanche. "He has passed away," Lawrence You, Google's director of privacy, wrote in a blog post. "The other three Googlers with him are safe, and we are working to get them home quickly."
Soon after the Nepal earthquake hit, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg activated his company's Safety Check feature, allowing those who may have been in the area to let friends and family know they're fine. "When disasters happen, people need to know their loved ones are safe," Zuckerberg wrote on Saturday. "It's moments like this that being able to connect really matters. My thoughts are with everyone who's been caught up in this tragedy."
Telecommunications companies are also helping out. Time Warner, Verizon and AT&T have all offered their customers free calls to Nepal. Time Warner is additionally offering free calls to India and China through May 25; and Verizon and AT&T are offering free texting.
Nevermind, everybody. No big deal.
It was only weeks after that it was learned that Apple kept it's Japanese stores open 24 hours a day until the emergency was over to hold refugees and to facilitate communications into the inundated areas. In addition, Apple made additional major donations of cash and equipment, as well as staff time.
It is amazing to me how people jump at the chance to BASH Apple for perceived and imaginary slights.
As an aside, would that there could be a competition announced, like your excellent FR donation challenge to the Apple ping list, to see which tech company could contribute the most assistance to Nepal. But with all the disasters that befall humanity each year, I suppose the shareholders of the companies might object to "involuntary contributions to causes they didn't get to vote on" or something like that... *sigh*
“Wow, tough crowd tonight”
It sure is. ;^)
I don’t jump at the opportunity to bash Apple. I actively hunt for it. If they are going to tell me how to live my life I am going to bash them every chance I get.
“We dont want to debate climate change. We want to stop it.”
https://www.apple.com/environment/
Arrogant punks.
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