Air Liquide and Its Employees Donate RMB 3.6 Million to Earthquake Victims

A massive 8.0-magnitude earthquake centered in Wenchuan county of Sichuan province in China occurred at 14:28, May 12, 2008. So far more than 50,000 people have been killed and the earthquake caused widespread damage. 

Right after the earthquake, the subsidiaries of Air Liquide Group in China contacted its employees in Chengdu and confirmed that all employees from that region were safe. At the same time, Air Liquide subsidiaries in China initiated a donation action amongst all employees on all its 31 sites to provide support to the earthquake victims. From May 14 on, one-week-long donation has been taken action in all the entities of Air Liquide in China. All employees have participated actively. 

By May 21, date of the closing of the donation, the amount donated by employees reached RMB 600,000. Air Liquide management in China, tripled this amount and donated another RMB 1,800,000, making the total cash donation to RMB 2.4 Million. Moreover some specific help has been provided for Air Liquide employees directly impacted by the earthquake through the creation of a special fund. In addition, Air Liquide Healthcare decided to donate respiratory equipment and disinfectants valued at RMB 1.2 Million. All donations will be handed to Sichuan Provincial People's Government Shanghai Office directly to get a quick reach to the disaster area.

Mr. Remi Charachon, Managing Director of Air Liquide China, in charge of the gas operations, and Marc Ducrocq, Managing Director of Air Liquide Hangzhou, the Engineering Center of Air Liquide in China said, "We are very shocked and deeply saddened by the disaster. Air Liquide is a part of the China society since our 1st day entrance to China. We stand together with the Chinese People. We thank our employees for their generosity” Mr. Thierry Veller, Vice-President Asia Pacific Air Liquide Healthcare, added, "We will continuously pay close attention to the rescue work on the front and hope, with our help, the victims in Sichuan can overcome the difficulties and rebuild their homes.”

Air Liquide Management also extends its sincere gratitude to those employees who donated directly to China Red Cross.