In May 2006 the province of Jogjakarta on the island of Java was hit by an earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale. Over 3,000 people were killed and thousands more were left injured or homeless.

The disaster affected our company directly. More than 100 employees of our affiliate Sampoerna live in Jogjakarta, and another 4,900 people in the area are employed by our suppliers. When relief efforts began, they were on the frontline. Within hours of the quake a rescue team from Sampoerna had set up a mobile clinic with 8 doctors and support staff, a mobile kitchen, electricity generators, 40 tent shelters, medical supplies and 3 ambulances. Established by the company in 2004 for just this kind of situation, Sampoerna Rescue has already been involved in several other local humanitarian relief efforts, including operations after the recent eruption of the Mount Merapi volcano.

At the same time our former parent company Altria was arranging for airlifts of 15 tons of emergency aid. And as the rebuilding began, our own company pledged US $1,500,000 to assist reconstruction, which also meant helping out Sampoerna employees whose homes had been damaged or destroyed.

“It’s during challenging times that you’ll find out the true character and strength of people. And our employees in Jogjakarta certainly demonstrated they’re up to the task. I’m very proud of what they’ve accomplished, their strength, their resiliency, their generosity to other people. And I’m also proud of employees throughout Indonesia who’ve donated and contributed and whose hearts and minds have gone out to help the people of Jogjakarta.”

Martin King, President Director, Sampoerna