The two disasters killed a total of 346 people, triggered the global grounding of the aircraft and wiped billions off Boeing's market value. Boeing said the multi-year payout was not connected to the lawsuits that more than 100 families have filed against it. It did not specify how the money would be divided, which organisations would benefit or how it might relate to victims' families. Asked to comment, a Boeing spokesman said: "All I can add to our release is that the pledge is absolutely independent of the lawsuits filed. This step will support education, hardship and living expenses for affected families, community programs, and economic development in those communities." REUTERS