16 March 2011 – As the bleak news from Japan continues and a nuclear catastrophe threatens, Prudential Financial today said its foundation, The Prudential Foundation, will contribute 500 million yen, $6.1 million, to support relief efforts.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Japan as they struggle to cope with the aftermath of last week’s devastating earthquakes and tsunami. We hope this donation will help to ease the suffering and assist in the rebuilding effort,” Prudential chairman and chief executive officer John Strangfeld said today.
Contributions to a fund by Prudential employees will also be matched by the foundation, Mr Strangefeld said.
Prudential said it has has 23,000 Japanese employees, and “for the most part” reported safe, the company said.
Closer to home, CB Richard Ellis said it had raised an “initial” NZ$94,000 at an auction night in Wellington to assist victims of the Christchurch earthquake.
The auction was staged at the firm’s Pacific Leadership Conference, which was attended by 80 of CBRE’s senior personnel from throughout Australia and New Zealand, CBRE said.
“Staff donated a range of items to auction on the night, including sporting memorabilia, wine, weekends away and even the rights to work for a week in the office of CBRE’s president and chief executive officer for Australia & New Zealand, Tom Southern.”