17-01-2020
“Our hearts go out to all the lives being impacted by these terrible disasters,” said Eduardo Martinez, president of The UPS Foundation and UPS chief diversity and inclusion officer. “The scale of devastation is stunning, and each situation is complex in its own way. We’re grateful to be able to engage our relief partner organizations working to bring relief to these areas, and we’re committed to continuing our efforts as recovery begins.”
In Australia, more than 18 million acres of land have been burned, causing more than 25 deaths and destroying more than 2,000 homes. In addition to human impact, an estimated 1 billion animals have been directly affected by the fires, with devastation to ecosystems threatening several species considered rare or endangered. UPS is providing support in Australia through both the American Red Cross and the Australian Red Cross, The Salvation Army, and the World Wildlife Fund to help meet essential needs.
Earthquakes continue in Puerto Rico, leaving two-thirds of the island without power and approximately a quarter of a million residents without water in their homes. The island is still recovering from the 2017 impact of Hurricane Maria, and the continued earthquakes are having a physical and emotional impact on families. UPS support is being channeled through The Salvation Army, UNICEF, Good360, and SBP, with funding and in-kind logistics helping to bring urgently needed materials to those in need.
The eruption of the Taal Volcano just outside the capital city of Manila in the Philippines created a blanket of smoke and heavy ash, impacting 500,000 people, destroying homes and leaving much of the region in ruins. Scientists are carefully monitoring the area for the possibility of further eruptions, and relief efforts are being staged as we continue to track this dynamic situation. As part of this effort, UPS is helping to bring urgently needed relief items, such as masks, into the impacted area where air quality is affected.
Source: UPS