Panasonic establishes flood relief and steps up education efforts in Myanmar

5 September 2015, Singapore – To aid communities affected by recent widespread floods across Myanmar, Panasonic Asia Pacific, along with its Group Companies in Singapore, has donated approximately S$33,500 to spur relief efforts in the afflicted nation. Funds are primarily being channeled through Japan Platform, an international emergency humanitarian aid organisation that offers the most effective and prompt emergency aid in response to natural disasters and refugees’ situations worldwide. Some of the funds are also donated to the Red Cross Singapore.

Mr Toru Nishida, Managing Director, Panasonic Asia Pacific, said: “It has been absolutely heartbreaking to see hundreds of thousands being affected by the floods – many people have been displaced from their homes, some have lost their livelihood as crops have been wiped out. At Panasonic, we recognise our responsibilities as a corporation to improve the lives of people around the world through our business operations, and with the close ties that we have with Myanmar, we want to help the people tide over this period through this effort.”

In addition, Panasonic also started an Eco Learning Programme (ELP) to help educate youths on the impact of climate change and what can be done to protect the environment as part of disaster risk reduction. On 12 August, the first session was conducted for around 50 children aged between 10 and 15 years old at the child nurturing facility “Dream Train” in Yangon, where they explored a diverse range of eco ideas including eco-living and eco-technology. The ELP is a global programme that started in August 2010 which aims to provide eco education to children around the world to help nurture global sustainable leaders of tomorrow.

This is not the first time that Panasonic is aspiring to improve the lives of people in Myanmar. As part of Panasonic’s 100 Thousand Solar Lanterns Project, over 7,000 solar lanterns have also been donated over the last 3 years to 9 societal organisations working to address various social challenges in the country. Feedback towards the utility of the Solar Lanterns have been extremely positive, with recipient organisations highlighting how they have helped to significantly improve working conditions in hospitals and schools.

Mr Hisakazu Maeda, Chief Representative, Panasonic Asia Pacific Myanmar Branch, said: “Panasonic is committed to ensuring that our efforts are not one-off; instead our focus is on the progress and development of society as we work towards creating ‘A Better Life, A Better World’ for the people of Myanmar. Through our various efforts, we hope to inspire Myanmar’s next generation to become responsible global citizens, and substantially improve the quality of life among those living in Myanmar through relief, infrastructure, education and skills development.”

More information on Panasonic’s CSR efforts can be viewed on the following websites:

• Eco Learning Programme: http://news.panasonic.com/global/stories/panasonic_kids_school_eco_learning_program/

• 100 Thousand Solar Lanterns Project: http://panasonic.net/sustainability/en/lantern/