AEGON appeals

Strengthening food security in Burundi: instead of traditional Christmas cards, AEGON sends out electronic cards every year, donating the money it saves to a good cause. In 2009, AEGON donated EUR 57,000 to a EUR 1 million project in east Africa run by the humanitarian organization, CARE International. The project is called 'Inabigega' - literally, 'back to the granary' - and involves setting up a fund to distribute micro-loans to farmers in Burundi. CARE International's project will help around 5,400 families in total, strengthen food security and boost economic development in one of the world's poorest countries. Much of the money will go directly to women, widely viewed as one of the most effective ways of reducing poverty.

Helping the victims of Haiti's devastating earthquake: In January 2010, AEGON launched an appeal for donations from employees to help the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. The appeal, which ran until mid-February, raised a total of EUR 220,000, with AEGON matching every euro donated by its employees. The money will go toward helping rebuild Haiti after its worst earthquake for more than 200 years.