Year-In-Review: SABIC IN ROA Supports Communities AMIDST COVID-19 Challenges

Rest of Asia, October 20, 2020 - The global pandemic has drastically transformed the world as we know it with people's health, wellbeing and livelihoods at the forefront of this crisis.

COVID-19 has served as a timely reminder for SABIC in the Rest of Asia that during these challenging times, our actions as a business and as individuals can have far-reaching, positive impact.

This year, our regional CSR efforts have encompassed initiatives that impact those directly affected by the outbreak including the most vulnerable members of society, medical professionals, as well as further building on our efforts amidst the 'new normal', to raise environmental awareness amongst employees and communities, and support disadvantaged children in their educational journeys.

COVID-19 focused CSR

Amidst the unparalleled phenomenon of COVID-19, SABIC and employees in ROA matched its responses to help alleviate the economic and social impact on communities, raising over USD 582,000 for more than 655,000 needy beneficiaries across nine countries including India, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and the Philippines.

The hardest hit have been the less fortunate and the vulnerable, and regional CSR efforts have focused accordingly towards the provision of essential medical supplies and food packages to these beneficiaries.

Janardhanan Ramanujalu, Vice President & Regional Head, SABIC South Asia & ANZ said, 'SABIC, like the rest of the world, finds itself in unprecedented times. As we navigate the new normal, we remain steadfast in our commitment to support communities, customers, employees and stakeholders across the region.'

Prioritizing health and safety

In adherence to our focus on employee health and safety as well as prevailing social distancing measures practiced across the region, all of SABIC's CSR activities had to be implemented in a contactless manner with its in-country partners, like the Red Cross. Correspondingly, even the donation handover ceremonies were either conducted online or remotely across the various countries.

Close collaborations with in-country NGOs

In Singapore, SABIC collaborated with the Singapore Red Cross and Community Chest (The Courage Fund), to provide the needy with food packages and economic aid. SABIC's community contributions in Singapore, were recognized with the Community Chest's Community Spirit Gold Award.

Ms Charmaine Leung, Managing Director of Community Chest, Singapore said, 'SABIC's generous support is timely during this period to support vulnerable individuals and families affected by the pandemic. We look forward to the continued support from SABIC in empowering the lives of the vulnerable as it is through the unity within our community that we can emerge stronger together.'

In Indonesia, SABIC collaborated with Red Cross in Indonesia to donate and distribute personal hygiene packages which includes soaps and sanitizers to over 250,000 lower-income families across Jakarta, Bekasi, and Bogor, as well as the disinfection of vulnerable households in Jakarta.

Over in Vietnam, SABIC cooperated with the Red Cross to donate and distribute support vouchers to over 1,200 disadvantaged individuals in the provinces of Hoa Binh, Gia Lai and Binh Dinh. These vouchers could be exchanged for food essentials and household necessities to help mitigate the financial hardship of these beneficiaries who were either elderly, or had lost their jobs and income, due to the pandemic.

Similarly, SABIC helped alleviate the economic impact amongst over 1,000 needy individuals by collaborating with the Red Cross in Korea to contribute aid that included emergency kits, food packages as well as other forms of economic relief.

Supporting Medical Frontliners

SABIC worked closely with four different public hospitals in Thailand to provide PPE, masks and gowns for medical front liners. Dr Tatsanathep Yimyam, Director of Pluak Daeng Hospital, said SABIC's donations supported the hospital in obtaining various medical devices to treat patients. He said: 'Our hospitals cannot work alone in this pandemic. Support and assistance from all sectors of society, including companies like SABIC, and cooperation will enable us to get through this crisis.'

In Japan, SABIC collaborated with the Japan Red Cross Tochigi branch to provide surgical masks and protective gear to over 700 frontline medical staff in the Haga Red Cross Hospital. Mr. Hideki Aoyagi, Director, Organization Promotion Division, Japan Red Cross Tochigi Branch, said: 'We believe that strengthening the system of medical institutions and overcoming the COVID-19 will lead to the easing of restrictions on social activity and economic recovery. The medical staff are doing their best and we appreciate SABIC's support.'

Transitioning into a 'new normal'

In addition to community giving to beneficiaries directly impacted by the pandemic, SABIC continued to raise awareness on environmental protection and the circular economy amongst both its staff and the broader community in Korea.

As part of the Waste-Free Environment Initiative, SABIC Korea collaborated with Zero Waste SG, a non-profit, to host an internal sharing session for employees.

Leveraging on the information gleaned, this employee workshop was further built on thereafter by the CSR team in Korea, running their own hands-on virtual workshop for the community which focused on the issue of plastic waste, proper waste management and the importance of recycling, for over 50 members of the public. Employees also creatively developed ready-to-build kits for Christmas flowerpots, made from SABIC's recycled resin for attendees, which the participants were then taught to make, helping them further appreciate firsthand the value of the recycled plastics.

Ensuring quality education for all and promoting lifelong learning is a prime focus for SABIC. Over in Singapore and Vietnam, the Back to School programs were tailored to suit the needs of underprivileged children across both countries.

In Singapore, this translated into the provision of stationery, lunchboxes and school supplies for 200 children by teaming up with non-profit, The Children's Wishing Well.

Whilst in Vietnam, SABIC worked with the Saigon Children's Society, to support needy children in the Tra Vinh province with the provision of 40 bicycles, facilitating their convenient access to secondary schools that are situated remotely in towns.