Danish Pharmaceutical Novo Nordisk’s headquarters in Denmark, together with Southeast Asian countries Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines and Australia, donated a collective amount of 650,000 Danish kroner or an equivalent of more than $100,000 to the Danish Red Cross and the Philippines Red Cross for the relief and rehabilitation efforts in areas affected by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name “Haiyan”).
Danish Red Cross secretary-general Anders Ladekarl, in an e-mail to Novo Nordisk, wrote: “Just arrived in the Philippines and the situation after typhoon Haiyan is very grim. More than 8 million people are affected and 700,000 people are displaced and an unknown number of people are dead. There is a desperate need for everything—water, food and shelter. But the logistics of bringing supplies to the affected areas is very difficult due to debris and destroyed infrastructure. The Red Cross is doing our best to help and the contribution from Novo Nordisk is making it possible for us to do more, in a critical situation where time matters. Thank you for your swift response and for making a difference to people in need.”
Henrik Bendix Dahl, Novo Nordisk general manager of Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines and Brunei, said: “The provinces severely damaged by the typhoon are in need of immediate aid. We hope this donation will spur their humanitarian initiatives to help Filipinos. Our hearts and prayers go out to them.”
Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Philippines country manager Christine Rosal said that Novo Nordisk has also pledged to help Errol Sumayo, a Novo Nordisk medical representative who was residing near the devastated Tacloban City when the typhoon hit and nearly claimed his life. “Novo Nordisk prides itself in looking after the welfare of the public, not just employees and diabetes patients we cater to.”
Recounting his harrowing experience, Sumayo said: “I couldn’t stop crying when I realized what I had lost—it was an incredibly traumatic experience. But the most important thing is that I survived, and for that I thank God.” He added: “I am relieved to be back in the arms of my family, who will try to help me regain strength. Although I have still not been able to contact some of my friends, I’m so thankful for the support and concern of my Novo Nordisk family.”