IT industry rallies to support Queensland flood victims
- 18 January, 2011 16:01
- Comments 3
As the Queensland recovery effort begins to take shape, the IT industry is gearing up to show its support for the flood victims.
Many organisations contacted by ARN were still formalising their action plan to help provide support to victims.
The Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA), lead the charge, donating $5000 towards the Premier’s Flood Relief Appeal.
More than $88 million has been raised so far. To date, Telstra has donated $1 million, Optus - $200,000, Vodafone - $150,000, Fuji Xerox Australia - $50,000, NetApp - $45,000, Dick Smith - $25,000, Bing Lee - $10,000, Fujitsu - $10,000, and Jumbo Interactive - $10,000.
SAP was also encouraging staff to raise $10,000 and it would match that amount dollar-for-dollar.
Microsoft is offering temporary access for affected SMBs to a cloud-based personal Windows Azure hard drive that will enable them to save critical files into a secure, off-site backup facility, as they begin the long process of recovery. For more information, businesses should email BNEFlood@live.com.
It has also offered its support to the Queensland Government through the Microsoft Disaster Response programme. Along with its partners, the tech giant is providing information and communication technology consultancy, collaborative solutions to support communication between geographically dispersed users, temporary software licenses, online services (where the IT infrastructure of emergency operations centres has been impacted), volunteers and the extension of its global call centre capability to first responder organisations and non-governmental organisations.
The software giant has also committed $10,000 to the Premier’s Flood Relief Appeal and will match employee donations to the Australian Red Cross, the Premier’s Flood Relief Appeal and RSPCA. As at January 17, the total cash donation from Microsoft and staff stands at $44,000.
It has also committed to donate software to non-profit and charitable organisations through its partnership with Donortec, which extends to a number of charities helping in the Queensland flood disaster.
Print vendor, OKI will donate funds for the purchase of each printer to the Queensland Flood Relief Appeal. A specific dollar amount has been assigned to each model across a selection of the product range and will be applied to all purchases until the end of January.
“Many of our dealers either have or will be affected by the floods in a very direct and personal way, so this is likely to be just a small first step towards the manner in which we can support them” OKI marketing manager, Chris Thorley, said.
Accessories distributor, Anyware Computer Accessories, has so far pulled in $6000 in donations – and counting. For its resellers affected by the crisis, it is also offering free freight on orders over $300.
A HP spokesperson said it was still working through its relief plan, but it was working to ensure the safety of HP Brisbane employees and their families by offering financial assistance with temporary accommodation.
“We’ve also been working closely with our customers and partners to ensure minimal disruption to their business operations,” the HP spokesperson said.
AIIA is also working with the Queensland Government and specifically the Department of Education to support efforts in rebuilding.
AIIA Queensland branch chair and Oakton Queensland general manager, Simon Williams, said it was trying to work out what schools needed to get back on track at the moment.
“Most people that I’ve spoken to have been working in their individual communities and it’s ongoing. There’s been such devastation in our own communities,” Williams said. “There’s a lot of activity from the industry perspective and much of the work that is going on is for free from what I’ve witnessed. It’s been quite inspiring.” Williams said Oakton had also made a $5000 contribution and would be matching donations during the next month.
AIIA is calling on the ICT industry to pledge their support online and will forward it to the Premier's Office.
If you're doing something to support the flood victims, email Julia Talevski.
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Comments
Karen Davison
1
My family are flood victims in Rocklea, Brisbane, but we are nowhere near as badly affected as many in Brisbane or Queensland. We have received some wonderful family & friends support which brings comfort to my heart.
The volunteer assistance getting our house back to being a home again in as short a period as possible after such a catastrophe has been astounding. The volunteers were organised, empathetic & well trained to know how to approach us. Thank you to all volunteers & to those quiet achievers behind them.
Also & just as equally important is the assistance in volunteers bringing food & cold drinks around to each individual home. You seemed like angels arriving when we were tired, hungry & thirsty, you appeared at our front gate with your offerings. You obviously prepared & provided food & drinks with a kind heart while bearing the monetary expense of doing so.
Thank you also to those who donated to our cause which we receive through the governments. The respite centre that we attended was both supportive & informative making one both proud & thankful to be an Aussie.
You were all there with open hearts. To our thank you, you always said or implied it was your pleasure and made us feel special.
It is life changing, but not so much the flood doing what it did, but experiencing the kind heartedness of humans. I will not forget this extraordingary experience in our time of need. It is an honour & a blessing to feel the warmth & grace of the human heart.
Our house is fast becoming our home again due to all of you. Thank you. You are all the special ones.
Karen.
Hayley
2
I am in the Milton area, and I have been volunteering in the area. I noticed that OKI went underwater and lost everything, and now above they are donating money to help others? Very Admirable OKI, I hope you get your feet back on the ground quick enough.
Hayley
Chris
3
Thanks for your note Hayley and also the volunteering work. We are currently looking at our options to get re-established in Brisbane.
Chris @ OKI