, Columbia Bank has
announced that it has initiated a special effort to assist the victims of
Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
companies. Businesses will identify ways to more effectively channel needed
goods, services, financial resources and employee expertise to NGOs and multi-
lateral agencies when disaster strikes. companies. In addition, Blackwater employees are
currently supporting numerous insurance companies in conducting accurate
assessments for what will no doubt be the largest disaster claim in U.

recent relief

"One of the central problems in any major disaster is getting necessary
and life-saving goods to those who need them," said John J.org) is an association
of chief executive officers of leading corporations with a combined workforce
of more than 10 million employees and $4 trillion in annual revenues.

effecting relief

Business Roundtable Announces Groundbreaking Initiative to Expand Relief and Recovery in Response to Global Natural Disasters

"At the American Red Cross, we have learned that preparation goes a long
way in helping people cope and recover following a disaster ," Evans added.
Business Roundtable member companies donated more than $200 million in
funding , services and materials to tsunami relief, part of over $450 million
donated by U.

recent storm

As a corporation ,
Columbia Bank will also match all employee contributions. The program will bring the resources and expertise of U.S.
"When a disaster strikes, we need to find the best way to get the right
resources to the right places as quickly as possible," said Marsha J.

societies disasters

businesses to enhance and accelerate on-the-ground relief and recovery
activities in response to major natural disasters.
Blackwater is working to secure critical communications infrastructure and
is also assisting in securing necessary petrochemical facilities in the
immediate aftermath of the storm .

societies natural

"
The need for coordination in disaster response was the topic of a
conference hosted by the UN and the Roundtable at the United Nations on April
25. At that conference, former President Bill Clinton, UN Special Envoy for
Tsunami Recovery, and Jan Egeland, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian
Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, called on the international
community to remain committed to providing relief for East Asian tsunami
victims, and to use those efforts as a model for the future ."

Business Roundtable (http://www.

disaster societies

New Jersey Bankers Help Hurricane Katrina Victims

The initiative will be managed by Business Roundtable, an association of
160 CEOs of leading U .

relief 1981

"Our new Partnership for Disaster Relief will lay the groundwork to
advance the private sector's role in disaster preparedness and will reap
immeasurable benefits when a natural disaster occurs," said Hank McKinnell,
Chairman of Business Roundtable and Chairman and CEO of Pfizer Inc.
companies will play a coordinated and pivotal role in supporting humanitarian
agencies' outstanding relief work on the ground and national governments'
ongoing recovery efforts. Evans,
President and CEO of the American Red Cross, who joined McKinnell at today's
announcement.
McKinnell , who also addressed the UN conference, said that the Partnership
for Disaster Relief will build on lessons learned from businesses' response to
the tsunami disaster to develop a broader preparedness system for future
natural disasters. In addition,
the Roundtable will facilitate relationships with humanitarian relief
organizations now so that clear channels of communication have been
established before a disaster occurs.

Blackwater USA Continues to Support Katrina Devastated Areas

hazards efforts

The Business Roundtable Partnership for Disaster Relief will seek to fully
integrate the capabilities of a variety of sectors -- such as health,
technology, financial services, construction, transportation and
communications -- into a coordinated private sector response.

hazards extremes

The emergency
fund-raising effort, which includes a combination of employee and corporate
donations, is being distributed through The American Red Cross, Habitat for
Humanity International and The Salvation Army."
The Partnership will facilitate improved collaboration among businesses
and relief organizations such as the American Red Cross.
"Blackwater is proud to serve the people of New Orleans," said Bill
Mathews, Executive Vice President of Blackwater."
To date, Blackwater continues to provide, on a pro bono basis , a
helicopter to support U.

warnings dating

Partnership for Disaster Relief to Work with
Humanitarian and Other Relief Groups

WASHINGTON, Business Roundtable today announced a
new initiative that will expand the private sector commitment to global relief
efforts by creating an unprecedented network to expedite relief to disaster
victims. The
chief executives are committed to advocating public policies that foster
vigorous economic growth and a dynamic global economy. Aid Focuses on Humanitarian, Security and Clean Up Needs

MOYOCK, N. Blackwater is also providing security services to federal agencies
working in the declared disaster area.

disasters dating

"We will build on our momentum from the tsunami response by expanding our
commitment and strengthening the private sector's response to natural
disasters," McKinnell said.S.

efforts disaster

Business
Roundtable will act as a facilitator in matching Non-Governmental
Organizations (NGOs) and multi-lateral agencies with appropriate U.S. Castellani,
President of Business Roundtable.

reliefweb extremes

efforts storm

We are proud of the fact that
our employees have responded by making personal contributions to help their
fellow Americans during this desperate time of need.S.

News on the most recent disasters effecting our planet.

disasters cbs

S.S. companies .
"Relationships with corporations and the resources they bring to the table
better enable the Red Cross and other nonprofits to fulfill our life-saving
missions. "First and foremost, this is
about Americans helping Americans in a time of desperation.
history.

response disasters

"
The first step for the Business Roundtable Partnership for Disaster Relief
will be for member companies to identify the equipment, supplies, expertise
and staff members they could provide at the time of a disaster .
As a private company, Blackwater USA is capable of responding quickly and
cost effectively in order to have an immediate impact on crisis situations and
mitigate, to the extent possible, the risk associated with loss of life and
property, and support local, state and federal agencies who are tasked with
response efforts.

For history of natural and manmade disasters, check out Society: History: By Time Period: Twentieth Century: Disasters.

disaster relief

We will continue
to support local, state , and federal offices and commercial entities with
talented professionals to augment their relief and recovery efforts.

extreme disaster

businessroundtable.C. Coast Guard rescue missions.

twentieth cbs

"
During previous disasters , including 9-11, the Asian Tsunami and the
recent New Jersey flooding, Columbia Bank has supported the relief efforts
through cash donations and other supportive programs.

archival timely

"We envision a coordinated and multi-faceted
recovery effort that provides the goods, services and expertise that are
critically needed to help victims of disaster. "Through this initiative the Roundtable
will harness the vast and diverse resources of our member companies to help
humanitarian organizations get the right aid at the right time to the right
place. As of Sept.

twentieth extreme

FAIR LAWN, N., Since first joining the relief
efforts on September 1, Blackwater USA continues to provide support to the
hurricane devastated area through a variety of services including search and
rescue, helicopter support, security services, and critical infrastructure
protection.

hazards manmade

"Through
this unique collaboration -- across sectors, industries and borders -- U. 12,
Blackwater aircrews have moved over eleven tons of supplies and rescued 121
people.

timely crescent

extreme 1981

According to Raymond Hallock, Columbia's President and CEO, "Whenever
there is a natural disaster or catastrophic event, Columbia Bank has always
tried to provide some level of aid and support.