COIMBATORE: Information technology (IT) major Cognizant has announced a commitment of $40 million (Rs. 260 crore) to help residents, its employees and business partners in Chennai, with relief and rehabilitation in the aftermath of the recent flooding.

Cognizant, one of Chennai’s largest employers with more than 60,000 employees and 11 facilities, will take a multi-pronged approach to support relief and long-term rehabilitation measures in the city. The company has pledged $10 million (Rs. 65 crore) of funding targeted to help the residents of Chennai through direct grants to the ‘Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund’, direct grants to NGOs, including AmeriCares India, and other charitable and relief organisations providing healthcare, housing and other support in the city.

The grants will also support direct healthcare initiatives and other community programs to help prevent the spread of disease and assist in the rebuilding of communities within Chennai. In addition, Cognizant has committed $30 million (Rs. 195 crore) to assist with the immediate and long-term recovery needs of its employees and business partners through direct grants and loans to employees, as well as other individuals who support Cognizant’s Chennai operations

The company would support dedicated healthcare teams to provide medical care, consultation and disease prevention to employees and business partners. Cognizant also plans to sponsor and fund additional initiatives through Cognizant Foundation, which spearheads the company’s corporate social responsibility initiatives in India, and Cognizant Outreach, the company’s employee-led, grassroots volunteering program.

“Corporate support must play a vital role in providing immediate relief and helping to rebuild Chennai,” said Gordon Coburn, president, Cognizant. “Chennai is home to tens of thousands of our employees and their families. We are committed to helping with the large challenge of rebuilding the city and addressing the health, safety and housing needs of the residents of Chennai,” he said.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the support of our employees, clients and business partners and are working with them to direct their support to impactful relief causes. We encourage the larger Chennai business ecosystem to join us in the effort to quickly recover from this disaster,” Coburn stated.