UPS Donates $1 Million to Haitian Earthquake Relief - Here's How You Can Help

(3BLMedia/theCSRfeed) ATLANTA, GA - Jan. 15, 2010 – UPS (NYSE:UPS) contributed more than US$1 million in cash and in-kind support to earthquake relief efforts in Haiti through its charitable arm, The UPS Foundation.

 The $1 million donation will include $500,000 in cash and up to $500,000 of in-kind services for the shipment of needed supplies.  The funds will be divided between The American Red Cross, CARE, UNICEF and other organizations that assist with long-term relief activities.

“With hundreds of thousands of people affected, our hearts go out to Haiti,” said Dan Brutto, president of UPS International. Brutto serves on the Board of Directors for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.  “Through our financial commitment and logistics expertise, UPS is positioned to respond quickly to the urgent needs and tremendous suffering that have been created by the earthquake.  We felt it was critical that we act fast to support the relief efforts.”

With a network that extends around the globe, UPS has been a leader in disaster relief and response.  In recent years, UPS relief efforts in the Philippines, Samoa, China, Myanmar and across the United States have included warehouse management, transportation network design and supply chain distribution.
           
In addition to providing financial and in-kind commitments to Haiti relief, UPS is a member of the World Food Programme’s Logistics Emergency Teams (LETs) and anticipates the activation of those teams.  The LETs initiative involves providing “loaned” logistics experts to oversee on-site disaster response, normally for a deployment of three-to-six months.

UPS provided logistics support in Haiti just two years ago when the island nation was slammed by hurricanes and flooding.  One of the UPS experts dispatched in 2008, UPS Americas Region Health and Safety Manager John Vera, describes crisis response in Haiti as extraordinarily difficult because the country has little modern infrastructure.

“Our job is to respond quickly and get supplies to those who need it most, but it’s not an easy task in Haiti,” said Vera.

UPS will continue to work closely with relief organizations that are active in the Haiti recovery effort over the coming weeks.

About The UPS Foundation Founded in 1951 and based in Atlanta, Ga., The UPS Foundation’s major initiatives include programs that support community safety, nonprofit effectiveness, economic and global literacy, environmental sustainability and diversity.  The UPS Foundation pursues these initiatives by identifying specific projects where its support can help produce a measurable social impact.  In 2008, The UPS Foundation donated $46.9 million to charitable organizations worldwide.  Visit community.ups.com for more information about UPS's community involvement.

For additional information on UPS disaster preparedness, please visit www.pressroom.ups.com/disasterprep.

For More Information Contact:

Ronna Branch
404-828-4393

Lynnette McIntire
404-828-7895

The earthquake that hit Haiti delivered a devastating blow to the island nation. Disasters such as this remind us of our own vulnerability to the forces of nature. At UPS, we’re committed to delivering aid and supporting relief efforts around the world. Through The UPS Foundation, we’re giving $1 million (USD) in cash and in-kind aid to help the people of Haiti.

We’ve also noticed a surge of interest and concern online as people search for ways to help. On Twitter, some have mistakenly shared a rumor that UPS will ship for free any package under 50 lbs. to Haiti. The destruction of roads and communications networks means our own shipping services to Haiti are on hold. Rather than offer free shipping to individual donors, UPS directs its aid through relief agencies.

However, there are several options available to offer your help:

•  Aidmatrix and Gifts in Kind International accept cash gifts along with donations of goods from companies and organizations.

• The American Red Cross, CARE and UNICEF accept cash donations. 

Along with aid from The UPS Foundation, we’ll also contribute our knowledge and skills to disaster response through warehouse, transportation and distribution management. UPS participates with a team of disaster-relief logistics experts through the World Food Programme’s Logistics Emergency Teams (LETs). Through LETs, we provide “loaned” logistics experts on-site to aid with disaster response. To learn more about UPS’s commitment to global disaster relief, read Mark Dicken’s interview with UPS International President Dan Brutto.