Cathay Pacific Group's HK$2 Million Donation to Support Unicef Relief Efforts in Sichuan Province

The Cathay Pacific Group today announced that it has raised HK$2 million through a corporate-wide appeal that will go to support UNICEF's relief efforts in Ya'an, Sichuan in Mainland China, where an earthquake on 20 April took a devastating toll.

The donation includes around HK$850,000 contributed by Hong Kong and overseas staff between 29 April and 10 May, together with dollar-for-dollar matching by the company. Participating companies included the Group's two airlines, Cathay Pacific and Dragonair, and six wholly owned subsidiaries - Asia Miles, Cathay Pacific Catering Services, Cathay Holidays, Cathay Pacific Services, Hong Kong Airport Services and Vogue Laundry.

The funds being presented to Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF HK) also include around HK$1.15 million collected from passengers on Cathay Pacific and Dragonair flights between 1 and 15 May under the Change for Good inflight fundraising programme.

Cathay Pacific Director Corporate Affairs Chitty Cheung said: "We were all deeply saddened by the news of the latest earthquake to hit Sichuan and the terrible impact it has had on the lives of the province's people. We are very grateful to our staff and passengers for contributing to our appeal to help the people of Sichuan. We know this money will be put to good use by UNICEF, which has been our trusted partner in the Change for Good programme since 1991."

UNICEF HK Chief Executive Irene Chan said: "We are happy to see the action taken by the Cathay Pacific Group to help people affected by the earthquake around the city of Ya'an in Sichuan Province. UNICEF will continue to help those whose lives have been turned upside-down and work to build their resilience."

The monies raised in the appeal will go directly to UNICEF to help children who are suffering in the aftermath of the earthquake and are in need of medical supplies, nutrition, education, clean water and sanitation. All the UNICEF field offices, including the China office, are regularly subject to both internal and external audits. UNICEF HK will publicise how it is using funds through its public communication channels including its website, www.unicef.org.hk

Over the years, the Cathay Pacific Group has responded quickly to help those affected by major natural disasters, launching appeals to raise money from staff and passengers, boosting the funds raised through dollar-for-dollar matching, and providing help for the shipment of relief materials to alleviate the suffering caused. The airline launched appeals following the Asian tsunami in 2005, the Sichuan earthquake of 2008, the Japan earthquake and tsunami in 2011, and the Thailand floods in the same year.