HOUSTON -- Several major oil companies have launched relief efforts to deal with the devastation caused by hurricanes Ike and Gustav. In response to the devastating effects of Ike and Gustav on impacted communities in Texas and Louisiana, BP announced that the BP Foundation will donate $8 million to community organizations and will also match the contributions of BP employees to the disaster relief effort.
"BP shares the nation's concern for those hit so hard by Hurricanes Ike and Gustav," said Bob Malone, chairman and president of BP America, Naperville, Ill. "As we work to return our [image-nocss] offshore oilfields and Texas City refinery to full operation, we are also working to help communities and organizations like the American Red Cross provide assistance to the people who need it most. We hope that our contribution—along with those of millions of Americans—will help sustain a disaster response sure to last many months."
The BP Foundation donations will be dedicated to relief organizations like the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and the United Way serving residents in Galveston County, Louisiana parishes and the city of Houston. A portion of the donations will also target relief centers, schools and volunteer fire departments in communities where BP employees live and work.
BP will also conduct an employee appeal inviting BP employees in the United States to assist the Red Cross in responding to the hurricanes. The BP Foundation will match employee contributions on a one-to-one basis up to $1 million.
San Ramon, Calif.-based Chevron Corp. said that it is making a commitment of $3 million to support recovery efforts in the communities affected by hurricanes Gustav, Hanna and Ike.
The commitment will provide assistance to disaster relief efforts along the U.S Gulf Coast, where Chevron has had a long presence, and in the Caribbean, where Chevron has marketing operations under the Texaco brand. The funds will be directed towards the Red Cross, Save the Children, Feeding America and the Pan American Development Foundation, together with local charities and relief efforts near Chevron businesses in affected states as determined by the company.
ConocoPhillips, Houston, announced that it will contribute $5 million to provide assistance to those affected by Ike. Its contribution is being directed to the American Red Cross, the United Way, the Salvation Army and the Texas Disaster Relief Fund established by Governor Rick Perry.
Jim Mulva, chairman and CEO, said, "Our thoughts and prayers are with those impacted by Hurricane Ike, including our company's approximately 6,000 employees who live in southeast Texas and southern Louisiana. Our focus is also on helping our employees and their families, and in safely resuming our impacted operations."
Irving, Texas-based Exxon Mobil Corp. said that it has donated $5 million for disaster relief assistance in communities along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico resulting from Ike. ExxonMobil's donation is being directed to the American Red Cross, the United Way, the Salvation Army and the Texas Disaster Relief Fund, and follows an earlier donation of $1.5 million for disaster relief assistance in Louisiana resulting from Gustav.
"Our thoughts are with those affected by the storm, including about 25,000 ExxonMobil employees and their families across southern Texas and Louisiana," said Rex W. Tillerson, chairman and CEO. "Our focus now is on the recovery—helping our employees, their families and their communities as they deal with the aftermath of the storm and in planning for a safe resumption of our operations in the region."
One of the most affected areas, Houston, is home to ExxonMobil's largest employee population of approximately 16,000 employees and 5,500 retirees.
Marathon Oil Corp., Houston, has announced that it will contribute $1.5 million to the American Red Cross in support of Ike and Gustav relief efforts; $1 million dollars will be allocated for Ike, with the remaining $500,000 targeted for ongoing Gustav relief efforts. The company is also closely monitoring the needs of its employees in the areas impacted by Ike and is providing assistance to these employees and their families.Houston-based Shell Oil Co. and Motiva Enterprises LLC have committed $4 million to support disaster relief efforts for Gustav and Ike. They have also provided fuel to emergency response organizations across the affected areas and are actively supporting recovery efforts with volunteers.
This contribution will be directed toward the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, the Gulf Coast Relief Fund and other community organizations to provide both short- and long-term assistance to disaster relief efforts in the states affected.
Also,click here for more details on Shell's relief efforts.
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