Early this week an 6.1 to 6.5 magnitude earthquake hit China’s Yunnan province. It was the most severe earthquake to have hit the area in over a century, killing approximately 600 people, leaving over 2,400 injured, and displacing 230,000. Contributing factors to the high fatality rate and widespread damage are poor quality housing, a high population density, and the shallow epicenter of the quake. Apple has employed enormous numbers of people in China and Hong Kong, and their expansion into Greater China has given rise to a flourishing community of developers. The company is helping to alleviate some of the devastation by donating $1.6 million (10 million yuan) to relief efforts.
Apple acknowledged the disaster on its Apple China homepage. Tim Cook also sent out a companywide email:
“Team,
Our deepest sympathies go out to the people of China’s Yunnan Province, which was struck by a devastating 6.5-magnitude earthquake over the weekend. Nearly 600 people died and over 2400 were injured in the worst earthquake to hit the region in 100 years. Rescuers have evacuated 230,000 people who are now displaced from their homes. The road to Longtoushan Township, the epicenter of the quake, has been blocked by landslides, making the rescue effort there even more challenging. Apple is eager to help. We are making a financial donation in support of the work of Mercy Corps and CFPA (China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation) to get supplies and relief to those affected by the earthquake and to help them through the process of healing and recovery. The tragedy in Yunnan Province is on the minds of many in the Apple community. Apple has over 6500 employees in China and Hong Kong as well as a growing developer community and deep ties to the workers in our supply chain who make Apple products. In this time of tragedy, our thoughts are with the victims and their families.
Tim”
This isn’t the first time that Apple has contributed to disaster relief efforts. After the earthquake in Ya’an last year, Apple donated 50 million yuan to support the most severely affected areas. Through iTunes, they allowed donations to be made to American Red Cross for the 2010 Haitian earthquake and 2012’s Superstorm Sandy.
