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Sands China and Adelson family pledges $8.1 mln for relief efforts


Sands China Ltd., along with the Adelson Family Foundation have pledged to donate a total of MOP 65 million (US$8.1 million) to assist with longer term relief, recovery and rebuilding efforts in Macau.

"The thoughts and concerns of the Adelson family and our team members around the world have been with the entire Macao community, and certainly our fellow team members, during this extremely challenging time," said Mr. Sheldon G. Adelson, chairman and CEO of Las Vegas Sands and Sands China Ltd.

"We are saddened by the loss inflicted on so many, but inspired by the perseverance and dedication of all those who have already begun the important process of rebuilding. Providing financial resources in support of that effort is a responsibility that Sands China and the Adelson family make without hesitation."

Rebuilding the Community

Shortly after Typhoon Hato hit Macau, the company began mobilizing its team members to help communities by providing professional and technical expertise from within the company and its network of associates, human resources, and financial contributions to those appealing for immediate help.

Professional and Technical Assistance

Knowing that the entire city faced immense challenges because of limited engineering and technical services available in the aftermath of two typhoons, Sands China took the initiative to contact the Macau authorities to offer such support wherever possible.

The team is working with authorities to help check and make repairs to buildings. They are offering technical assistance, spare parts, and assisting with stabilising recently restored electricity and water services. On Tuesday the company dispatched a team of technical staff to help the residents of Fai Tat building in Fai Chi Kei, who were facing water supply problems. The team was able to quickly help successfully restore the water supply there.

The company is providing engineering assistance to the Macau Deaf Association to secure and improve their premises so that the school for the hearing impaired can resume teaching students as soon as possible.

In Coloane, Sands China is working with the authorities to secure homes at the waterfront by repairing roofs and other structural damage to ensure that they are safe for families to return home to as soon as possible.

Transportation

Donations have been made to four non-governmental organisations, including Caritas Macau and Fuhong Society of Macau, to repair motor vehicles damaged during the typhoon. In the meantime, four 7-seater vans have been made available to Caritas Macau to ensure that their Good Take Express service can continue operating.

Cleaning and Replacing Furniture

A few thousand team members – many during work hours – organized to help clean up debris and rubbish that accumulated at various locations throughout the city. The teams are assisting at several schools, including Fu Jin School and Choi Kou School, and are also reaching out to nongovernmental organisations to help replace damaged furniture as needed so that they can open as soon as possible. At St. Joseph School, volunteers helped remove damaged electric appliances Wednesday.

SME Support

To offer support to its local SME suppliers during this challenging time, Sands China has launched a new SME support programme:

·         For any goods or services that were delivered in August 2017 by micro-enterprises, young entrepreneurs or “Made-in-Macao” companies, Sands China will, at the request of these suppliers, expedite payments to them.

·         Upon supplier's’ request, Sands China will also offer a 50 per cent advance payment for purchase orders or contracts issued during the remainder of 2017. Based on the average monthly spend of the three types of SME suppliers, the estimated total value of this 50 per cent advance payment during the remaining four months of the year will likely amount to approximately US$25 million (MOP 200 million).

Distribution of Resources

At a critical time when drinking water was in short supply, Sands China was able to send its Cotai Water Jet ferries to Hong Kong to transport bottled water back to Macau for distribution to the public and the families of its team members. Food supplies were also distributed to communities in need.

 

Longer-term Support

For children who tragically lost their parents to Typhoon Hato, Sands China has pledged to set up a fund to support their continuing education.

Dr. Wilfred Wong, president of Sands China Ltd., said: “Sands China is a company with its roots firmly planted in Macao, and we are doing everything we can to mobilise available resources to help rebuild our community. Our thoughts are with the people of Macao during this difficult time when the city needs support on multiple fronts. We are grateful to the Adelson Family Foundation for their generous donation and will ensure that assistance is given to those in need expeditiously. We appeal to organisations in need to contact us immediately."

A special team within the company is actively reaching out to social welfare, charitable and nongovernmental organisations to better understand their needs, so that assistance and support can be provided where needed.

Sands China’s relief efforts are part of Sands Cares, the global corporate citizenship program of parent company Las Vegas Sands Corp.

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