Home News $2.5 Million To Be Given to Tsunami Victims

$2.5 Million To Be Given to Tsunami Victims

May 3, 2005

1 Min. Read
Business

The Facts:

  • Associates and customers at various facilities, including Wal-Mart stores, SAM’S CLUBS, and distribution center locations in the U.S., have donated a total of $2.5 million to relief efforts for Tsunami victims in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and India.
  • The funds will be allocated as follows:
    • $1 million will be allocated to the United Nations (UN) Foundation as part of former President Bill Clinton’s current initiative as the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Tsunami Reconstruction.
    • $500,000 will be given to World Vision, an international organization providing shelter, education, meals and emotional counseling to children in the region.
    • $200,000 will be given to the Rajaprachanukroh Foundation of Thailand, a Foundation helping to provide long and short-term disaster assistance, while providing special attention to orphans. This funding will be used specifically to assist in the building of schools that house kindergarten through secondary education.
    • $200,000 will be allocated to the Prime Minister of India’s fund to support India’s relief efforts.
    • $200,000 will be provided to the International Rescue Committee (IRC), a group dedicated to delivering lifesaving aid in emergencies.
    • $100,000 will be given to the Sri Lanka-Garment Buying Offices Association to provide funding to build more than 50 homes for displaced individuals.
    • $100,000 will be given to Sarvodaya, an organization in Sri Lanka that helps take care of long-term needs of all Tsunami orphans under age 18.
    • $100,000 to be provided to Mercy Corps, an organization that provides emergency relief services that assist people afflicted by conflict or disaster.
    • $100,000 to be used to pursue local community efforts through our sourcing operations.
  • The $2.5 million, which was raised by customers and associates at various collection points throughout the U.S., complements the Wal-Mart/SAM’S CLUB Foundation donation of $2 million given last December to the International Red Cross for Tsunami relief.
  • Additionally, efforts in Wal-Mart stores in the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany and Japan raised another $4.8 million bringing the total relief amount to more than $9 million generated through Wal-Mart support around the world.
  •  With a focus on education, children and communities, Wal-Mart will donate in 2005 – through the Wal-Mart/SAM’S CLUB Foundation – over $19,000 an hour, or more than $200 million to our communities.  According to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, this makes Wal-Mart the largest corporate giver in the U.S.

Important Quotes:

“I am delighted that Wal-Mart is providing a significant donation to the Rajaprachanukroh Foundation.  This amount will assist the orphans of the Tsunami disaster and will help rebuild their lives.  I am grateful to my former classmates at the National Cathedral School for putting this forward to Wal-Mart.”  -- Thanphuying Putrie Viravaidya, Deputy Principal Private Secretary to His Majesty the King.

“I am so grateful to Wal-Mart, its customers and associates for their generosity towards the victims of the devastating tsunami that tore apart so many families and communities in December.  The work of recovery goes on, and the need for the global community to remain involved continues.  That’s why this contribution from Wal-Mart is so important.  It sends a signal of concern that will itself provide hope to those who are still struggling to rebuild their lives.  I’m proud that this global company from Arkansas is helping so many people who live so far away." – Former President Bill Clinton.