FedEx and UPS have announced financial and operational support for US regions hit by Hurricane Michael while UPS is also providing relief aid for areas impacted by the recent tsunami in Indonesia.
On Friday, FedEx said it has committed $1 million in cash and transportation support to deliver critical aid and supplies in the wake of Hurricane Michael in Florida. The support is in addition to the $1 million the company pledged after Hurricane Florence.
“This devastating storm left communities and lives in ruins and our thoughts are with the people affected,” said David J. Bronczek, president and chief operating officer of FedEx Corp. “We believe it’s our responsibility to provide hope and help in times of crisis and we are proud to use our network to deliver aid to those hardest hit by the hurricane.”
FedEx said it works closely with humanitarian partners to support their disaster relief activities. Through its FedEx Cares “Delivering for Good” initiative, the company uses its expertise in shipping and logistics to connect organizations, communities and individuals with the resources they need through charitable shipping and cash donations.
Also on Friday, the UPS Foundation announced a $1.5 million commitment to support relief and recovery efforts for the earthquake/tsunami in Indonesia and Hurricane Michael in Florida. Through a combination of cash grants, in-kind transportation movements and technical expertise, The UPS Foundation, in collaboration with its disaster relief partners, will provide urgent relief, as well as support for long-term needs ranging from rebuilding to personal and financial recovery assistance. Last month, The UPS Foundation also committed more than $1 million to assist with Hurricane Florence relief efforts.
“As was the case in 2017, we are experiencing a cluster of extreme weather events and natural disasters — Hurricane Florence, the Indonesia earthquake and now Hurricane Michael. Due to this, we are again seeing unprecedented need in communities across a broad range of humanitarian areas,” said Eduardo Martinez, president of The UPS Foundation and chief diversity and inclusion officer.
“Therefore, it’s critical that UPS and disaster relief organizations work together to deliver life-saving aid now and also help with rebuilding later. By donating financial and logistical support to our United Nations and humanitarian partners, The UPS Foundation and UPS are helping to ensure impacted communities can receive urgent support at a time when they need it most.”
The UPS Foundation works with a wide range of organisations, including the American Red Cross, Center for Disaster Philanthropy, Good360, International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC), NVOAD, Operation Hope, SBP (Saint Bernard Project), The Salvation Army, ToolBank Disaster Services, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), United Way, United Nations World Food Programme and other humanitarian aid partners, to provide immediate support and assess longer-term needs, committing additional funding and in-kind assistance for recovery needs that will be specified during the post-crisis recovery phase.
UPS has also activated skilled volunteers with humanitarian logistics expertise to support the American Red Cross and Global Logistics Cluster response efforts, helping to coordinate transportation of supplies to impacted communities in the U.S. and Indonesia. The company is also transporting relief supplies to areas hit by the 7.5 magnitude earthquake which was followed by a tsunami in Indonesia on September 28.
Last year, The UPS Foundation responded to 26 major world disasters and invested more than $21 million in funding, in-kind, and technical support.
