In December 2004, the Indian Ocean tsunami took the lives of thousands of people and destroyed countless communities. Every one of us at Microsoft were deeply saddened by this tragedy and our company and our employees donated $7.6 million in relief assistance to indigenous relief agencies and international relief efforts. Microsoft staff have also been working with local and international agencies to better understand how we can contribute, and are committed to providing funding support, technical assistance and volunteer resources to the recovery efforts.

Previous disaster relief funding includes more than $130,000 in the wake of the 2002 Bali Bombings, including financial assistance for the Perth Burns Unit and general technology support. We also contribute towards natural disaster relief including bushfires and drought. In 2003, Microsoft Australia donated more than $50,000 in cash to support the Canberra bushfire victims.

The following articles provide more information:

Microsoft and its employees are committing $9 million in cash and technology assistance to the relief and rebuilding in the regions affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Microsoft donated $A100,000 plus software support to the revolutionary Skin Reconstruction and Research Fund (SKRRF) to urgently help burns victims from the Bali bombings. Bali Plight Brings Microsoft Aid to Revolutionary Burns Research

Microsoft Australia donated AU$70,000 in cash as well as technical services to support the NSW bushfire relief efforts. MS Aus Provides Disaster Relief to NSW Bushfire Victims