The outbreak of COVID-19 is a humanitarian tragedy that continues to disrupt millions of lives. While most of the nation is working from home, those such as paramedic staff, doctors, nurses, police and frontline workers are risking their lives to meet the overwhelming demand for support. These hard-working professionals face depleted resources and limitations on support as they continue to provide COVID-19 relief and rehabilitation operations across India. The need of the hour is to step up and support our communities, enable non-profit organizations, charities, police, sanitary staff and first-line responders to continue COVID-19 relief and rehabilitation operations to the fullest. Ciena is humbled to support our courageous frontline workers during these tough times.
We are sending large volumes of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including masks, face shields, goggles and other protective equipment to those working tirelessly to care for COVID-19 patients. Likewise, in such perilous times, Ciena employees, like in many companies around the country, have shown solidarity & empathy, and stepped to the forefront to help the communities impacted by this pandemic. Employees are graciously contributing to the PM CARES Fund and to match their kind and generous monetary and volunteer hour donations, Ciena has increased its matching program to support and accelerate these relief efforts.
With India under lockdown and with significant restrictions imposed on movement limiting traditional volunteering activities, Ciena has extended virtual volunteering opportunities to all its employees who are passionate to give back to the society. Under this program, the volunteering activity can be performed by an employee from the safety of being at their home. This includes helping elderly neighbours, arranging masks for others, virtual classes for students or fetching groceries or pharmaceuticals for people at higher risk. All these volunteer hours are matched by Ciena with monetary contribution towards the PM CARES Fund or NGOs at regular intervals.
Ciena India’s Chairman and President Rajesh Nambiar remarks, “Ciena has taken extensive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of its employees and extended family of customers & partners around the world. Ciena is dedicated to helping society during these difficult times by every possible means, such as contributing towards the PM CARES Fund or by volunteering to support frontline COVID-19 healthcare workers, as this situation continues to evolve. We are thankful for the opportunity to give back, especially during these difficult times.”
