BENTONVILLE, Ark., Jan. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In response to the tragic earthquake in Haiti, Walmart operations around the world and the Walmart Foundation today announced a $500,000 monetary donation to Red Cross emergency relief efforts in Haiti. The company is also sending pre-packaged food kits valued at $100,000 to Haiti at the request of the Red Cross.
An earthquake of magnitude 7.0 struck southwest of Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, on Tuesday afternoon, devastating the city and leaving thousands dead.
"At Walmart, helping communities is what we do every day around the world, especially in times of need," said Doug McMillon, president and CEO, Walmart International. "Many of the markets where we operate in the Americas' region are launching support campaigns, and we will continue to look for opportunities to provide much needed relief."
The Walmart Foundation has also launched a web page, http://www.walmartstores.com/haiti through which customers and associates can make donations to nonprofits that are also supporting relief efforts in Haiti.
"Our thoughts are with everyone who has been impacted by the devastation in Haiti, including the hundreds of thousands of Haitians who are our customers and our associates in the U.S. and abroad," said Margaret McKenna, president of the Walmart Foundation. "We will continue to monitor the situation and look for additional ways that we can assist in the relief efforts."
"The American Red Cross is rushing supplies and disaster management staff to Haiti in the aftermath of this earthquake, and we are grateful for the generous contributions of Walmart, its associates and its customers," said Gail McGovern, president and CEO of the American Red Cross. "Walmart has been there to help save the day for people during their time of need both in the U.S. and across the world, supporting the work of the American Red Cross to bring help and hope during emergencies."
In September 2008, Walmart donated more than $100,000 to support disaster relief for Haitians that were impacted by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, which killed hundreds of people and damaged and destroyed thousands of homes.
About Philanthropy at Walmart
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are proud to support the charitable causes that are important to customers and associates in their own neighborhoods. Through its philanthropic programs and partnerships, the Walmart Foundation funds initiatives focused on creating opportunities in education, workforce development, economic opportunity, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness. From February 1, 2008 through January 31, 2009, Walmart - and its domestic and international foundations - gave more than $423 million in cash and in-kind gifts globally. To learn more, visit http://www.walmartfoundation.org/.
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CONTACT: Jami Lamontagne of Walmart, +1-479-273-4314
Web Site: http://www.walmart.com/
