The Levi Strauss Foundation and Levi Strauss India announced a total combined donation of about US$42,000 (Rs 20 lacs) towards victims affected by recent floods in India’s southern states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
The Foundation has pledged US$30,000 to Oxfam America, a humanitarian organization working to provide relief to flood victims in India. In addition, employees from Levi Strauss India have voluntarily donated up to a full day’s salary to India’s Chief Minister’s Relief Fund through the Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCCI). The donation from employees is being matched by the company, bringing the total contribution from Levi Strauss India to the relief fund to more than US$12,000.
“The floods in the two Indian states have had a devastating impact on the lives of the people there, and we have a responsibility to help where we can. The grant from the Levi Strauss Foundation will go towards providing immediate support to those who need it most,” said Daniel Lee, executive director of Levi Strauss Foundation.
On September 30, the southern states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka experienced the worst floods in decades, killing 220 and devastating more than two million people. In many locations, flood waters continue to inundate large tracts of land, villages and towns.
Oxfam will be working with local partners to provide immediate assistance to victims by implementing water, sanitation and hygiene focused programmes to minimize public health risks in the affected areas.
“We are all moved by the impact of this disaster on India and strongly feel the need to help. Our employees have been forthcoming and generous in their donation to this cause, and we want to acknowledge and support their efforts by matching their dollar contributions in aid of the victims of the flood and their families,” said Suman Chatterjee, country manager, Levi Strauss India.
—IndiaRetailing Bureau
