Haiti Earthquake Relief: Support from COA Members

Updated February 17 - Council of the Americas recognizes the efforts of its members to help Haitian relief efforts in the wake of the devastating earthquake of January 12, 2010. Read more and follow the links below to learn about private sector initiatives to support Haiti’s recovery.

AEI Energy

• Through a joint initiative with Schools for the Children of the World and the Council of Educational and Facility Planners, established a database of volunteers who are willing to participate in the reconstruction of Haiti’s damaged and destroyed schools. Learn more about Haiti Schools.

Arcos Dorados

• Donations from its campaign to raise funds for the International Federation of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent for Haiti relief totaled over $1,647,000. This included a matching grant made by McDonald’s Corporation for $500,000.

Caterpillar Inc.

• Donated over $500,000 from foundation and matching employee donations. Combined with equipment donations, the amount equals $800,000.
• Donated equipment for rescue efforts and debris cleaning.
• Suspended fees for emergency parts shipment.
• Supporting its local dealer (Haytrac) with donations of food, medicine and clothing.

Freeport-McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc.

• Donated $500,000 to various charities assisting in the relief efforts and established a matching employee contribution program of up to $250,000.

Merck & Co., Inc.

• Donated $450,000 to various charities assisting in the relief efforts; employees making contributions of $120,000.
• Providing as much as $2.6 million in Merck products.
• Encouraging employees with medical background and others with language skills to volunteer in-country with relief organizations.
• Learn more about Merck's Haiti Relief Efforts.

New York Life

• In addition to a $100,000 donation to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, New York Life established a matching contribution of up to $150,000 for donations for Haiti relief efforts for a total of up to $400,000. Learn more about New York Life Efforts in Haiti.

Pfizer

• Overall support: $4.15 million, $3.9 million in medicinal product donations to relief organizations, $250,000 in cash contributions.
• Pfizer colleague and retiree contributions as of 2/8/10 under Pfizer’s matching gifts program: $215,000.
• Assessing six-month deployments of colleagues to Haiti through Pfizer Global Health Fellows Program. The program works with nongovernmental organizations and multilateral organizations to help improve health in developing nations.

Scotiabank

• Donated $250,000 to the Canadian Red Cross’ Haiti earthquake Relief Fund and initiated an employee matching funds program for up to $500,000.
• Waiving fees and charges for transfer of funds to Haitians in need.
• Accepting donations at Scotiabank branches.
• Learn more about Scotiabank’s Haiti Earthquake Relief Efforts.

Telefónica

• Donated $1.28 million to the Red Cross and has promoted SMS donations from clients and employees.
• Provided relief organizations with satellite communications equipment to aid in rescue efforts.
• Contributing toward restoration of telecommunications system in Haiti.
• Learn more about Telefonica’s support for Haitian relief efforts.

Tyco International

• Donated $200,000 to the American Red Cross and other charities.
• Matching employee donations through its matching gift program.

United Parcel Service (UPS)

• Through the UPS Foundation, donated $1 million for relief efforts carried out by several charities. $500,000 of this donation is offered through in-kind services for the shipment of supplies.
• A member of the World Food Programme’s Logistics Emergency Teams.
• Provided logistics support to Haiti in previous years after hurricanes and flooding
• Learn more about UPS and The UPS Foundation’s relief efforts.

Walmart

• Donated more than $1 million for relief efforts.
• Through in-store and online fundraising campaigns, raised Walmart employees and customers have contributed over $2.8 million.
• Employees and customers globally have donated $2,200,000
• Working with relief organizations to further assist in relief efforts
• Learn more about Walmart Stores and Walmart Foundation’s relief efforts.