Kia Motors Corporation has presented Palang Merah Indonesia (a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies) with a donation of USD100,000 to aid in the relief efforts of the nation’s recent disasters. The cheque was presented to Muhammad Jusuf Kalla, current Chairman of Palang Merah Indonesia and former Vice President of Indonesia, during a ceremony in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Over the past weeks, the country has been hit by a number of volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and a tsunami affecting thousands of people and their families. Indonesia’s Mount Merapi volcano began erupting late last month, killing hundreds of people and displacing more than 100,000. On the same day, a strong earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale struck off the coast of Sumatra Island, triggering a tsunami and killing at least 449 people and displacing some 15,000 to date.
“Our thoughts are with those affected by the recent disasters,” said Seon-Pil Choi, Chief of Kia Motors Asia Office. “We hope this assistance will reach these families in the form of food, medical assistance, shelter and countless other supplies needed in order to begin rebuilding their lives.”
Kia Motors has been committed to the Indonesia market since 2000 when they first began providing vehicles to the country and has donated in the wake of past disasters hitting the country. After Indonesia’s catastrophic earthquake on May 27, 2006, Kia Motors donated USD40,000 to support the relief efforts for victims of the disaster.
Kia Motors has been an active participant in providing emergency assistance to various disaster relief efforts around the world in the form of funds, ambulances, relief goods and other aid. Countries that have benefited from Kia’s disaster relief contributions include the US, India, Greece, Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Iran, Algeria, China, Australia, Haiti and Chile.
