Microsoft Employees Quick to Help in HaitiMicrosoft employees are contributing to a worldwide relief effort, both at the scene and remotely through technology assistance and cash donations. Twenty-three hours after Haiti was struck by a 7.0-magnitude earthquake, Gisli Olafsson touched down in Port-au-Prince. “The scene was horrible, with large parts of the city collapsed, bodies lying in the streets, and people trying to seek shelter outdoors since they were afraid of aftershocks,” said Olafsson, a disaster management technical advisor for Microsoft's Global Strategic Accounts team. “As you drive through the city, power cables are down in many places and rubble is often in the street, making it hard to get around.” Members of Gisli Olafsson's search and rescue team in Haiti carry an injured woman from a collapsed building. Olafsson had arrived to lead Iceland’s Urban Search and Rescue team, the first international rescue team to arrive in Haiti. The death toll remains unknown – the International Red Cross estimated on Thursday that it could be as high as 50,000. The organization also estimated that 3 million people — a third of Haiti’s population — may need emergency relief. A groundswell of Microsoft employees has rallied to help raise money, with 1,600 employees already contributing over US $280,000 to 104 nonprofits working in Haiti. In addition, Microsoft made an initial commitment of US$1.25 million, which includes cash and in-kind contributions. “The response has been phenomenal,” said Akhtar Badshah, senior director Global Community Affairs. “It’s a massive tragedy, and we are very humbled by the response from our employees and the response from our relief organization partners who are moving very quickly to bring in all the help that is needed.” Continue: Microsoft Employees Quick to Help in Haiti Microsoft employees are contributing to a worldwide r
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