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Tim Cook shares ‘deepest sympathies’ and makes $1.6m donation following Yunnan, China earthquake

Cook

In an email to employees, Apple CEO Tim Cook shared his “deepest sympathies” to the people of Yunnan, China after the region was struck by a disastrous earthquake this past weekend. The earthquake took the lives of 589 people and caused the relocation of over 200,000 people, according to reports. Here’s Cook’s internal memo to employees, which was provided by a source:

Team,

Our deepest sympathies go out to the people of China’s Yunnan Province, which was struck by a devastating 6.5-magnitude earthquake over the weekend. Nearly 600 people died and over 2400 were injured in the worst earthquake to hit the region in 100 years. Rescuers have evacuated 230,000 people who are now displaced from their homes. The road to Longtoushan Township, the epicenter of the quake, has been blocked by landslides, making the rescue effort there even more challenging. Apple is eager to help. We are making a financial donation in support of the work of Mercy Corps and CFPA (China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation) to get supplies and relief to those affected by the earthquake and to help them through the process of healing and recovery. The tragedy in Yunnan Province is on the minds of many in the Apple community. Apple has over 6500 employees in China and Hong Kong as well as a growing developer community and deep ties to the workers in our supply chain who make Apple products. In this time of tragedy, our thoughts are with the victims and their families.

Tim

Cook says that Apple will be making a monetary donation to groups that provide relief efforts for those hurt by the earthquake and its ramifications. Reports indicate that the donation is worth 10 million Yuan, which converts to just over $1.6 million. Cook also notes that Apple has deep ties to the area as Apple has over 6500 employees in China, many third-party developers, and family members of supply chain personnel. Apple has also posted a message on its China homepage:

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Comments

  1. Taste_of_Apple - 10 years ago

    He’s a genuinely classy guy. My sympathies to all those affected by this tragedy as well.

  2. Michael Pitts - 10 years ago

    SMH! no matter how much he tries just because he gave his condolenses on the the matter of that tragic earthquake that occured in China, They are not going to change there minds about the iPhone.

    • Chad Mobley (@ChadMobley) - 10 years ago

      What’s your problem man? He is showing sympathy for a tragic matter, put business aside for a moment. Regardless of any motive, he is providing more sympathy for the families than most are.

    • Barry Kushner - 10 years ago

      Your comment nicely defines and identifies yourself as a segment of our population that has nothing good or productive to offer our society.

      • herb02135go - 10 years ago

        I disagree with you, Barry.
        That was my first thought to. Seeing there are Apple employees in that area minimizes that doubt but, given the timing (of the donation) a link between the two isn’t off-base.

    • Eli Matar - 10 years ago

      I dont think thats his motive.

    • drtyrell969 - 10 years ago

      Micheal, you’re messing some very expensive PR. Stop it! ;)

  3. Eli Matar - 10 years ago

    I really hope he extends his deepest sympathies to the families of the Christians in Iraq and Syria that are being slaughtered (literally slaughtered, with a knife).
    He is a very important figure, who’s really well recognized globally and his words can make a huge impact.

    • rogifan - 10 years ago

      That is a political issue. There is nothing political about making a donation after a natural disaster.

      • ryan (@Rcoops90) - 10 years ago

        extremely well said, natural disaster that us humans can’t avoid.

      • herb02135go - 10 years ago

        It’s not a political issue. It’s a religious issue in an area where, unfortunately, religion and politics are the same.

    • Eli Matar - 10 years ago

      This is more of a civil right issue rather than a political issue where if people refuse to follow a certain faith, they must flee or they’ll be slaughtered. Slaughtered… By knife.
      And I think Tim is really all about civil rights.

    • drtyrell969 - 10 years ago

      Oddly there is NO evidence of this actually happening.

  4. Lee (@leemahi) - 10 years ago

    1.6 million dollars for positive Apple headlines all over China is one of the classeir PR moves. And it’s cheap!

    • Eli Matar - 10 years ago

      Gosh… This Passive Agressive approach is getting so old.
      It’s so 90’s.
      And also, what a childish way to express your opinion.

  5. André Hedegaard Petersen - 10 years ago

    Hmmm, $1.6million is a nice contribution, but a small price to pay to try to persuade Chinese authorities to allow Apple devices.
    How come Tim never expressed any kind of public remorse for the Malaysian flights, or the Israeli/Hamas conflict or other things that cost more human lives than this earthquake?
    Hidden agenda? Ulterior motives?
    I’d like to think not, but in the world of money and business, I’d never put it past people.

    • Viktor Petrov - 10 years ago

      I think the reason is that expressing an opinion on those topics comes attached to having to pick a side because in those cases there are conflicts and contradictions being discussed.
      In this article there is talk about a natural disaster. There is no contradiction. No arguments needed. People have suffered from an occurrence that is nobody’s fault.

      • André Hedegaard Petersen - 10 years ago

        Yeah, you’re probably right.
        At least I hope you’re right and the natural disaster is just a coincidence with Apple vs. China.

  6. 5waimea - 10 years ago

    Why didn’t Apple donate to Chongqing earthquake last year? I’m not taking his money.