ExxonMobil to increase aid for tsunami-hit nations

U.S.-based ExxonMobil will increase its donation for tsunami-hit countries, possibly to more than US$9 million to help finance the reconstruction work.

ExxonMobil vice president for Asia Pacific and the Middle East R.M. Kruger said on Wednesday that the company had allocated $5 million, while its employees worldwide have so far collected around $2 million. The funds collected from the employees will be matched by the same amount by ExxonMobil, he said. The fund raising program from the employees will be closed at the end of this month.

A large amount of the funds will go to Indonesia, particularly Aceh, which bore the brunt of the Dec. 26 tsunami disaster, said Kruger. (Godang)