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Press Release

GE Foundation Partners with German Red Cross to Help Regions Affected by Flooding

July 23, 2021

Boston – July 23, 2021 – The GE Foundation today announced a donation of US$100,000 to the German Red Cross to provide relief to the regions affected by the catastrophic flooding across Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. The donation will provide direct support to survivors and evacuees, including access to drinking water, food and shelter, and well as local sanitation. In addition to the organization’s donation to the German Red Cross, GE employees can support relief efforts through its Matching Gifts Program.

“The GE Foundation is proud to work with the German Red Cross to help families in the region recover from the devastating flooding,” said Linda Boff, President, GE Foundation, and Vice President, GE. 

"The destruction caused by the floods is only slowly becoming visible. Many houses are no longer habitable. Some people have lost everything. Particularly as an infrastructure provider, it is our concern that, on the one hand, the necessary local facilities can be put back into operation as quickly as possible and, on the other hand, that the people on the ground are helped directly," said Andreas Lessmann, Chairman of the Management Board of GE Deutschland Holding GmbH. "We would like to thank everyone who is providing help on the ground - especially the German Red Cross, which is deploying around 3,500 helpers."

"GRC staff and volunteers are working nonstop to evacuate people from apartments, nursing homes and hospitals and attend to their needs. Many endanger themselves in the process. Their tireless effort deserves the greatest respect and gratitude. It is likely that the people affected by this disaster will be dependent on our support for many days and weeks to come, and we are preparing accordingly. Many have lost everything," said GRC President Gerda Hasselfeldt.

GE employees who make eligible donations to the German Red Cross or other participating charities can register for a match with the GE Foundation’s Matching Gifts program, which supports employees’ personal philanthropy and charitable giving by providing a 1:1 match. The GE Foundation created the concept of a corporate matching gift program in 1954. Today, the program continues to serve as an important element of the Foundation’s portfolio, with gifts matched in 2020 totaling $16.8 million.

GE’s Disaster and Humanitarian Relief program responds to major global disasters and humanitarian crises, drawing on GE’s people, technology and other resources to reduce suffering and hasten recovery. Since 2020, GE Foundation’s philanthropic contribution in disaster relief totaled nearly $5.4 million, which was largely focused on the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. GE remains committed to preparing for and responding to future natural disasters and humanitarian crises, diligently maximizing the impact of our financial, technological, and human resources.

About the German Red Cross

The German Red Cross saves people, helps in emergencies, offers people a community, assists the poor and people in need; holds and monitors the international humanitarian law - in Germany and all over the world.

The German Red Cross saves peoples lifes, helps in crisis, supports the most vulnerable and advocates humanitarian law and principles - in Germany and abroad. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement we attempt to prevent and mitigate human suffering everywhere and at all times. In Germany, many people are dependent on support or take advantage of offers for personal and social development. Whether children, families, seniors, people with disabilities, homeless people or people on the edge of livelihood: people's needs, interests and requirements are always different. More information on www.drk.de/en

About the GE Foundation

The GE Foundation, an independent charitable organization funded by GE, is committed to transforming our communities and shaping the diverse workforce of tomorrow by leveraging the power of GE. The GE Foundation is developing skills by bringing innovative learning in community health globally and STEM education, scaling what works, and building sustainable solutions. The GE Foundation is inspiring others to act by connecting GE people with communities through matching gifts, leading on emerging issues such as the opiate crisis, and convening community leaders to maximize our impact. Learn more at www.gefoundation.com or follow the us on Twitter at @GE_Foundation.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Jeff Caywood
Director, Sustainability & Headquarters Communications
GE
+1 857 337 4101
+1 617 443 2993
[email protected]
Claudia Grote
GE
[email protected]
Katharina Puche
The German Red Cross
[email protected]

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