Millions donated to tsunami victims
The charitable foundation set up by Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates has as pledged €2.1m and Amazon.com has raised more than €2.5m in online donations to aid South Asian countries devastated by tsunamis.
Microsoft’s company offices in Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and India are working with relief organisations, a spokeswoman said.
The company also is encouraging employees to contribute. Under an existing programme, Microsoft matches charitable donations by its US staff.
Online bookseller Amazon.com began collecting donations for the American Red Cross on its website almost immediately, said company spokesman Craig Berman. By last night, there had been 60,000 online donations totalling €2.5m.
Starbucks has contributed €70,500 to two international relief organisations - CARE and Oxfam UK. It plans next month to donate £1 (€1.40) for every pound of Sumatra, Sumatra Decaf and Aged Sumatra whole-bean coffee bought in its stores worldwide.
