The I.I Chudrigar Road, a hub of Karachi business activities was totally submerged in rainwater during the recent monsoon. While the spell of monsoon rains played havoc across the city, key city links were flooded, severing the city’s transportation system and leaving people stranded on roads. Amid the downpour, people were stranded at their offices with no transportation or food. In the wake of the emergency crisis and thunderstorm that shook the whole city, corporates proved to be the real heroes.

While employee accountability is commendable, the real core of corporate responsibility is ensuring that everyone in your organization is taken care of and a relationship of trust is built between the employees and the organization by meeting expectations of ethical and responsible behaviour. In case of any catastrophe, an organization is required to stand for its people and corporates in Karachi are proof of that.

The emergency crisis on 27th August brought down the city of lights on its knees. Many corporates stepped up and helped people stuck near Shaheen Complex and I. I Chundrigar areas shift to nearby hotels, these included mostly banks like Standard Chartered, Bank Alfalah and JS Bank. The Bank’s ensured rooms were provided to their staff at a 5-star hotel along with dinner and breakfast. The teams worked swiftly and were on the ground till 5 am, ensuring employees had dinner and were moved to their rooms.

Administration of K-Electric, however, managed to convert its office into a hotel, where employees were asked to stay the night with food and refreshments available to them.

Many banks and organizations also opted for Hotel Ramada, as the situation got worse at night. JS Bank and TCS also mobilized coasters and managed to get most of the staff home without charging any fee.

“Our senior management was on its feet till 5 am, they facilitated us so well and ensured every person evacuated was given a room and food. This gesture makes me proud of my organization and their commitment towards their employees”, said one of the affected at Movenpick Hotel

These organizations stand as an example to many, no differentiation of class or grade, not concerned if revenues were compromised, in the hour of need these companies stepped forward and pulled all its employees out of this dire situation that fractured the infrastructure.