Kelly responds to typhoon victims in the Philippines

Kelly Services Inc. has responded to the call for assistance to help out employees of BusinessTrends who were affected by Typhoon “Ondoy” (international codename: Ketsana) in the Philippines.

The company initially earmarked $2000 US to assist employees and communities affected by the typhoon. A portion was given to the Philippine National Red Cross to support the organization’s relief operations.

The donation was used to provide food and other basic necessities like clean water, health services, medical supplies, and other essential emergency items to employees and families in need.

Typhoon “Ondoy” brought record-breaking rainfall and unprecedented flooding on September 26. It ravaged many areas in the capital Manila, particularly in the eastern part of the metropolis and a few towns south in the island of Luzon. The tropical storm unleashed twice the amount of rainfall than hurricane Katrina, according to the Philippine weather bureau.

Floodwaters entered most houses in Metro Manila. Some were swept away while others were buried under mud caused by landslides. Almost 80% of Metro Manila was submerged in dirty floodwaters and sludge. More than 250,000 families have been driven from their homes. The death was estimated at nearly 300.

Five internal employees and eight external temporary staff of BusinessTrends were gravely affected by the typhoon. Most of their houses were submerged in knee- and waist-deep floodwaters. Personal belongings like cars and household appliances were also damaged. Affected employees were given relief goods which included noodles, rice, drinking water, milk, biscuits, toiletries and other items. Aside from the relief goods, Servicio Filipino Inc., the franchise owner of BusinessTrends, also granted emergency loans to the affected employees.

The Kelly Global Disaster Team, the corporate social responsibility arm of Kelly, coordinated with the Singapore headquarters to determine other forms of assistance that the company could offer to assist in the relief operations in the Philippines.

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