DHL and UPS have each airlifted more relief supplies to China to provide humanitarian aid forpeople in areas devastated by the recent earthquake in Sichuan, south-west China.
DHL said it shipped 15 tonnes of relief supplies from Hong Kong to Chengdu at the weekend fortwo aid agencies – the Hong Kong Red Cross and the Crossroads Foundation. The supplies, includingmedical gloves, waterproof fabrics, blankets, sleeping bags, temporary shelters, and otherresources, were assembled in Hong Kong and airlifted to the Red Cross Society in Sichuan Provincewith the support of DHL’s joint venture partners – Air Hong Kong and Transmile.
In addition, DHL employees in Hong Kong and China raised donations worth over $150,000 forearthquake relief, while the three business units in China, DHL-Sinotrans, DHL Global Forwardingand DHL Exel Supply Chain, contributed a further $150,000. The $300,000 donation will go directlyto disaster relief efforts in China’s earthquake stricken area.
“The level of ground support and passion from DHL employees in Hong Kong and China to rallyaround the cause has been truly inspiring. We’re privileged to support Red Cross and CrossroadsFoundation in their relief and rebuilding efforts for the affected communities,” said Dan McHughCEO, DHL Express Asia Pacific.
”We are deeply saddened by the damage and tremendous losses caused by the earthquake inSichuan province,” added Jerry Hsu, President of Greater China Area of DHL Express Asia Pacific. “The Greater China region of DHL Express is fully committed to providing immediate assistance andsupport to the victims who have lost homes, loved ones, and their well-being. Our employees haveshown profound grief and are committing our best effort through bringing resources and donations toSichuan for urgent relief.”
Separately, UPS said it has teamed up with US charity Gifts In Kind International, theChinese embassy in the USA and several corporate donors to send a fully loaded UPS relief plane toChina. The relief plane, carrying more than 10,000 tents, 1,100 cots and 225 cases of surgicalgloves, was scheduled to arrive in Chengdu yesterday (June 1).
“We are grateful to UPS for shipping these urgently needed products to earthquake victims andto the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China for helping to coordinate the distribution withinthe affected area,” said Gifts In Kind International President and CEO Richard Wong. “Our corporatepartners that provided these items and our nonprofit partners, including Feed the Children, havemade this effort possible. But this is just the first step in getting victims back on their feet.Gifts In Kind will continue to work with the Chinese Embassy and our many partners to provide thelong-term assistance needed to restore lives.”
“Working closely with Gifts In Kind International and the Chinese Embassy, we are eager tobring these critical supplies to the people of Chengdu,” said Lisa Hamilton, president, The UPSFoundation. “This delivery is among the most important UPS will make this year.”
