America Generously Responds To China Earthquake

Main Category: Aid / Disasters
Article Date: 26 May 2008 - 9:00 PDT

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In response to the devastating 7.9 magnitude earthquake that hit China's Sichuan province on May 12, the American public and corporations have generously supported American Red Cross relief efforts.

"The American Red Cross is grateful for the outpouring of compassion we've received from individuals and corporations across the United States," said David Meltzer, senior vice president, International Services for the American Red Cross. "Thanks to this support, the Red Cross has been able to provide immediate financial assistance to support vital relief efforts for those affected by the earthquake in China."

Corporate donors reacted swiftly and compassionately in response to the China earthquake. The following corporations or their foundations have together pledged donations in excess of $6.4 million to provide relief to the survivors of disaster:

- Cisco
- The Coca-Cola Company
- The Hewlett-Packard Company Foundation
- Merrill Lynch
- State Street
- Texas Instruments
- UPS

In total, more than 60 corporations have pledged support to the American Red Cross through direct cash gifts or by encouraging their employees and customers to donate - efforts that will raise millions of additional dollars for those in need. This massive earthquake - the largest in China since 1976 - requires a level of response that would not have been possible without the contributions of individuals and corporations across the United States.

On May 15, the American Red Cross committed an initial $10 million to help those affected by this disaster. This contribution has supported the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, including the Red Cross Society of China, which have been helping survivors since the earthquake struck through the purchase and distribution of supplies, coordination of relief efforts and deployment of relief workers to the affected area.

The American Red Cross is in close contact with our international partners and will offer additional assistance if requested. This may include sending financial support, relief supplies or experts to help survivors recover and rebuild their lives.

You can help the victims of countless crises around the world each year, crises like the Myanmar Cyclone and China Earthquake, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation by either contacting 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish), or mailing your donation with the designation to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or to your local American Red Cross chapter. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting http://www.redcross.org.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation's blood supply; teaches lifesaving skills; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization - not a government agency - and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. For more information, please visit http://www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://www.redcrosschat.org.

American Red Cross

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