Merck provides disaster relief assistance during major disasters and supports efforts in preparedness and recovery.
Merck's Office of Corporate Philanthropy serves as the central clearinghouse for information regarding Merck's company-wide response to major disasters, and works with the Office of Corporate Responsibility to make decisions related to the company's donation of cash and/or medicines and vaccines in a disaster situation.
Japan Earthquake (March 2011)
In response to the major earthquake and tsunami in Japan, Merck made cash donations that exceeded $2 million, which includes an initial contribution of $1.25 million by The Merck Company Foundation, in addition to Merck employee donations. A large percentage of the employee donations were from Japan, which were matched by the Foundation. Of the total amount, $750,000 was distributed to Save the Children and $500,000 was sent to the American Red Cross. Approximately $550,000 in local product inventory was also donated to local medical groups. The company is continuing to work with our relief partners as the people of Japan rebuild their lives and communities.
At Merck, we believe that indiscriminate responses to urgent requests for assistance can be wasteful and counterproductive. Therefore, we follow the long-standing recommendation of the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance that the company's response be made on the basis of a firsthand assessment of need by local authorities and/or a designated relief agency. In major disaster situations, donations of Merck medicines are often made directly by the local Merck subsidiary or manufacturing facility. Where appropriate, and in consultation with local Merck management, the Office of Corporate Responsibility may donate pharmaceuticals and vaccines through the disaster and emergency relief component of the Merck Medical Outreach Program. Learn more.
Our goal in providing disaster relief is to:
- Respond in a timely and appropriate manner;
- Meet the needs of relief agencies and the affected community;
- Provide consistent and coordinated company-wide relief efforts;
- Facilitate communications and dissemination of information among employees and key external groups, customers, Merck neighbors and relief agencies.
