19th January 2010:

Humanitarian disaster in Haiti

We will all have been affected by the news of the growing humanitarian disaster in Haiti and the desperate need for aid both to help the victims of the disaster but also to help rebuild the lives of people once their immediate needs have been met.  How does one respond?

I believe that the scale of this disaster requires a global response and as a global network I believe that we have to play our part – inevitably this means by giving money to one of the various disaster appeals.  Accordingly, BDO International is making a donation to the disaster appeal.  We are also asking the people who work for the International Executive Office to play their part and have pledged to match everything that they donate.  We are also encouraging all of our member firms to do likewise – by making a corporate donation, by encouraging fundraising from staff or both.

Being a relatively close neighbour of Haiti the British Virgin Islands is already involved in the provision of aid.  The major funding drive in the BVI is being spearheaded by the Rotary Clubs of Tortola, of which the Managing Partner of our BVI firm and one of his colleagues are members.  The latter is appearing on a Telethon being broadcast on local TV and radio and is an integral member of the organising committee. He is responsible for the IT and is heading up the finance function.  BDO BVI and BDO International are both donating to this effort and BDO BVI’s staff are also taking a collection for this effort.

BDO Cayman Islands is also heavily involved in the activities of Rotary Clubs.  A member of the Managing Partner’s club has a house (that’s still standing) which is currently acting as temporary hospital for 100 plus people and he has spoken with CNN to share information.  He says scenes are far worse than many of the media stations are prepared to show on national television.

I am proud of the response of our firms and our people – it demonstrates our concern for others and the world we live in.

 International BDO  0 Comments January 19th, 2010