CECP Programs | Disaster Response

SOUTH ASIA EARTHQUAKE RELIEF FUND (SAERF)

As the first initiative of its kind, the South Asia Earthquake Relief Fund (SAERF), administered by CECP, created a powerful collaboration between corporations, government entities, and nonprofit organizations to offer a sustainable response to the areas of Pakistan hit hardest by the devastating earthquake of in 2005. After nearly three years of success, and serving as a replicable model for comprehensive disaster response, providing millions of dollars in relief and building efforts, SAERF was closed on August 31, 2008.

The Fund was created following the October 8, 2005 earthquake that rocked the mountainous regions of South Asia, killing approximately 74,000 people and injuring over 70,000. A disaster of this scale compelled a global humanitarian response. It was in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake that President George W. Bush took the unprecedented step of engaging the private sector to help raise awareness and encourage donations to aid the survivors of this disaster.

Five corporate leaders embraced this opportunity:

Anne M. Mulcahy
Chairman and CEO,
Xerox Corporation

In addition, one representative from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and one from the Pakistani-American community served on the Fund's Advisory Committee.

SAERF was a tremendous success, helping to inspire U.S. corporations to commit more than $116 million in cash and in-kind contributions for earthquake relief and reconstruction, and nearly $20 million was collected through the Fund. These contributions funded grants to the following organizations for immediate relief as well as long-term reconstruction and rehabilitation of earthquake-affected areas:

• Aga Khan Foundation USA
• American Refugee Committee International
• Catholic Relief Services
• International Rescue Committee
• Mercy Corps
• Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund
• Save the Children

The international business community, through SAERF, helped revitalize the earthquake-affected regions of Pakistan. Specific accomplishments of the Fund include:

• Reaching over 185,000 beneficiaries with immediate relief services such as: winterized shelter, access to safe water, hygiene promotion activities, and the delivery of medical cargo.

• Building and providing funding for the preliminary operation of 16 health and education facilities: 5 schools for girls, 5 schools for boys, and 6 health facilities.

• Providing health services to 300,000 individuals in the earthquake-affected area.

• Delivering essential education supplies like temporary school tents, teaching aids, school bags for newly enrolled students, recreational/sports kits, and books to 30 schools and 60 mobile libraries.

Photos from Pakistan:

• Earthquake aftermath
• SAERF's reconstruction projects
• SAERF's health and education programs

Read more about SAERF:

• 2008 SAERF Lessons Learned Report
• Summer SAERF 2007 Donor Report
• SAERF One Year Report

For more information about the South Asia Earthquake Relief Fund, please email info@corporatephilanthropy.org.