British Columbia Forest Products Companies Provide Aid to Japan

British Columbia, Canada, forest products companies are joining forces to provide aid to victims of the Japan earthquakes and tsunami. Canfor, Canfor Pulp Limited Partnership, West Fraser, Tolko, and Interfor will each donate $100,000, for a total of $500,000, to the Canadian Red Cross to provide immediate relief in Japan. The Province of British Columbia will match these donations, bringing the total commitment to $1 million. This funding is in addition to the $500,000 provided to the Red Cross on March 17 by the Province in support of emergency relief efforts in Japan.

All of the forest companies involved believe that more help is needed now as the situation in Japan remains dire, with hundreds of thousands remaining homeless from the disaster, and earthquakes continuing to affect the region. B.C. forest companies have close ties to Japan, some with employees who live in the affected areas and customers struggling with the aftermath. The Canadian Red Cross will direct these funds to the Japanese Red Cross, which is actively engaged in providing vital relief such as tents, blankets, food, medical aid, etc., in the areas of Japan most affected by this tragedy.

The overall effort to provide both immediate relief and longer term reconstruction will be a massive undertaking. The forest companies are urging others to get involved, and to work collaboratively with our government and officials in Japan to provide assistance in their time of need.

TAPPI
http://www.tappi.org/