UPS Tuesday announced a $2 million donation to support relief and recovery efforts for the victims of the devastating earthquake that struck South Asia in October.
In a press statement, the Atlanta-headquartered said that the donation would include $1 million in cash and up to $1 million of in-kind services for the shipment of medical and health-related items to the region.
The cash contribution will be provided to the South Asia Earthquake Relief Fund, which will oversee its allocation to other organisations providing humanitarian relief and assisting with long-term rebuilding activities.
"The global business community is being called on to support the on-going relief efforts and UPS wants to do its part to help," said Mike Eskew, UPS chairman and CEO.
Former UPS chairman and CEO Jim Kelly recently returned from a trip to the area in his role as a director of the South Asia Earthquake Relief Fund. Kelly is one of five corporate executives named by President George W Bush to lead a nationwide effort to raise awareness and resources to help those in need as a result of the disaster. The other executives include the chairmen of Citigroup, GE, Pfizer and Xerox.
"I'm proud UPS stepped up to the plate and provided this significant support. And yet, we still have a great challenge ahead of us in generating contributions from individuals and companies to address this terrible tragedy," said Kelly. "To date, corporations have committed more than $45 million in funds and in-kind donations. My partner CEOs and I will continue our work on behalf of the White House to reach our $100 million goal by the end of January," he added.
