The operation launched by Thales in early January, with the Group pledging to match employee donations on a one-for-one basis, has been a resounding success, and positions Thales as one of UNICEF's most generous corporate donors.

Employee donations total 130,000 euros worldwide. By matching that sum, and adding the initial 100,000 euro donation pledged by Thales, the Group has in all raised 360,000 euros for UNICEF.

The Group decided to lend a helping hand to those who were affected by the tsunami which hit Asia on December 26. At world-wide and corporate level, Thales initially donated 100,000 euro to UNICEF, and pledged to match all employee donations to UNICEF on a one-for-one basis. The initiative was fully in line with the Group's values: UNICEF is the United Nations children's fund and is heavily involved in relief work in the countries hit by the disaster. When the operation came to an end on February 7, Group employees worldwide had donated 130,000 euros to UNICEF.

Thales' actions were not limited to this operation, as demonstrated by those launched at local level by country structures, particularly in South Asia. In early January, support and donations quickly reached 150,000 euro. Thales Nederland made a donation early January of 50,000 euro.