DFS acts fast to assist typhoon victims on Saipan

HONG KONG—Duty free travel retailer DFS Group was among the first companies on Saipan to mobilize aid in the wake of Typhoon Soudelor.

In the first 48 hours of the storm’s passing, DFS set aside an initial donation of $50,000 to the CNMI Chapter of the American Red Cross to support immediate recovery efforts on the island. At the same time, having confirmed the safety of all of its employees and their families, the company took steps to establish its T Galleria store on Beach Road, Garapan, as a relief site for staff and local residents.

“Thankfully our store was not damaged in the typhoon, and because it has its own generator and water supply we immediately set up a charging station for local residents to charge their electronic devices, and let our employees know that they could use the facilities to shower,” said Marian Aldan-Pierce, DFS Saipan Division president. “When it became clear that water and electricity were going to be impacted across the island for some time, we installed four washing machines and three dryers on the roof for employees to clean and dry their clothes.”

DFS then implemented a water provisioning schedule, providing every employee and business partners in the DFS building an allowance of five gallons of drinking water daily.

DFS people around the world were also quick to offer their help to affected people on Saipan. In response, the company set up an online fundraising website and has committed to match all employee donations, targeting to raise $100,000.

In the weeks following the typhoon, DFS has continued to make contributions to recovery efforts, bringing in essential equipment to help local residents repair and rebuild their homes. The company has shipped generators, chainsaws, tents, air mattresses, portable power supply units, fuel containers, heavy-duty extension cords and other supplies and is making them available for sale, excluding shipping costs.

“DFS is proud to have been part of the Saipan community for over 40 years,” said Aldan-Pierce. “We are an international company, but we are also a local business and Saipan is home to many of us. We are committed to doing everything we can to help the island recover from Typhoon Soudelor as quickly as possible.”

DFS first began operations on Saipan in 1976. The company employs over 200 people across two outlets at Saipan International Airport and at T Galleria by DFS on Beach Road. (DFS)