Stronger together: How Dow supports employees across the globe

In late 2023, Bahia Blanca, Argentina experienced a severe wind event, impacting access to services such as electricity and water, as well as urban infrastructure and homes. The damage predominately impacted neighborhoods far from the city center, and fallen electric power poles and trees made it difficult to restore electricity and access to water.

"On December 16, 2023, a devastating storm hit our city, leaving it deeply affected. One year after the storm, we have demonstrated extraordinary resilience, unwavering commitment, and a profound sense of community. From the very beginning, we mobilized to support the community of Bahía Blanca and Ingeniero White. In collaboration with the Fundación de la Universidad Nacional del Sur and United Way Argentina, we purchased food and hygiene products. Additionally, we actively participated in the reconstruction of Primary School No. 58 and three local sports clubs. We also donated 320 tons of roofing sheets to help rebuild the city's damage. Thanks to the great effort and dedication of all collaborators, the Bahía Blanca site was able to safely resume its operations. The collaboration and commitment demonstrated by everyone were essential to overcoming the challenges and ensuring that our activities resumed efficiently and without setbacks.

This year, we not only rebuilt buildings and operations; we also rebuilt trust, hope, and bonds." – Paula Woolbert, Lead Site Manufacturing Director, Bahia Blanca.

In 2024, thousands of Houston, Texas residents experienced a derecho – a wide-spread windstorm that typically produces destruction in a straight path. This long-lasting storm produced tornadoes and destructive winds up to 100 miles per hour. For many residents, this storm came fast with little warning, leaving millions impacted.

A local Dow employee recalls how the storm caused trees to fall into their home. Their back door was blown off its hinges, and they lost power for multiple days, causing them to temporarily relocate. With the list of damages and their associated costs piling up, the additional support from the Fund was an unexpected help.

“In large companies, you can sometimes feel like a number, but investing in me – when it doesn’t have anything to do with my professional growth but rather my wellbeing – is appreciated.”   – Team Dow colleague

In April 2022, areas across South Africa were impacted by severe flooding and landslides caused by heavy rainfall, particularly in the Provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape. According to national authorities, more than 60,000 people were displaced, while nearly 6,000 houses were destroyed and more than 8,000 others were damaged, mostly across Durban City and its surrounding areas. It also severely damaged infrastructures such as roads, health centers and schools, leading to a national state of disaster declaration.

With two sites in South Africa at the time, including one in Durban, Team Dow looked to provide immediate and long-term support where able. This included financial support through the Dow Employee Relief Fund as well as Meals on Wheels Community Services. Assistance from Dow included food hampers and blankets to over 300 families, and in total, as part of the outreach, Meals on Wheels delivered more than 40,000 meals, blankets and clean water.

Hurricane Ida was a powerful storm that originated in the Atlantic Ocean. In 2021, it made landfall on the United States Gulf Coast, and primarily affected Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Ida caused severe flooding, power outages, and extensive damage, leading to significant long-term recovery efforts.

In Louisiana, a Dow colleague recalls how the category four storm passed right over their house. They subsequently lost power for over a month and sustained thousands of dollars of damage to their home. Stepping into action, Dow committed to relief and resiliency efforts, and provided impacted employees with supplies like generators, gasoline, and in-window air conditioning units. Additionally, through the Fund, one employee was able to use the financial support for day-to-day essentials and as a deposit for roof repairs.

“My family was supported with gas, food and laundry, allowing me to get back to work when a lot of folks didn’t for months. Money is good, but there’s a level of comfort that’s there too.”   – Team Dow colleague

Cyclone Michaung was a weather event that developed into a severe cyclonic storm and impacted southern India in December of 2023. The event had far-reaching impacts, with wind speeds of 80-90 kph and gusts up to 100 kph. In response, the Tamil Nadu government declared a public holiday and advised private companies in the Chennai, Chengalpattu and Kancheepuram districts to implement work-from-home policies.

A certified Great Place to Work^®, Dow Chemical International Private Limited (Dow India) employs over 1,000 people over six locations across India, including three manufacturing sites, three Centers of Excellence and one commercial office. When disaster hit, Dow supported employees through the Fund providing access to immediate essentials, helping colleagues rebuild their lives and restore a sense of normalcy.

“In the face of adversity, our collective strength and compassion are our driving forces. When Cyclone Michaung hit our site, we witnessed the incredible resilience and dedication of our team. Their support for each other and their communities was truly inspiring. As we extend our hands and hearts to those affected by the floods, we are reminded of the resilience and unity that define us. I am immensely proud of the strength and solidarity demonstrated by everyone."  – Ahmed El-Mahdy, Senior Director, Central Engineering Chennai, Dow India