FedEx, Direct Relief, and Heart to Heart International Team Up to Deliver Supplies and Aid to Philippines
MEMPHIS, Tenn., November 20, 2013 – FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX), Direct Relief and Heart to Heart International have teamed up to deliver more than $10 million worth of relief aid and medical supplies to communities across the typhoon-ravaged Philippines. The shipment, containing nearly 200,000 lbs. of both pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, is scheduled to depart from Los Angeles on Saturday, November 23.
“FedEx team members around the globe are committed to assisting with the recovery effort,” said Frederick W. Smith, chairman, president and CEO of FedEx Corp. “As we have done throughout our 40-year history, FedEx is using its global network and logistical expertise to connect non-profit organizations and their relief supplies to the communities most in need.”
The FedEx relationships with Heart to Heart International and Direct Relief date back to 1995 and 2003, respectively. Throughout the years, FedEx has activated its global network to deliver critical and life-saving support to lessen the pain and loss experienced by victims of natural disasters.
"With a disaster of this magnitude, it is imperative that Heart to Heart International rapidly respond with critically-needed aid and supplies,” said Krystal Barr, interim CEO, Heart to Heart International. “Our relationship with FedEx has made that possible for us to do around the world for nearly two decades, and now again for our Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) relief effort. Working with FedEx and with Direct Relief, we know we can make a positive impact for the people of the Philippines."
The FedEx charter flight departing on Saturday will carry nearly 200,000 lbs. of relief supplies destined for communities in and around Cebu. Onboard cargo includes:
- Personal care and hygiene items
- Pharmaceuticals
- First aid kits
"The relief effort to help people in the Philippines presents obvious, huge logistical challenges. FedEx providing its unique airlift, logistics, and medical supply-chain technical expertise is just a tremendous boost to Direct Relief's focus on supplying critically needed medications and medical supplies that have been requested by Filipino partners,” said Thomas Tighe, President and CEO of Direct Relief. “We are deeply thankful that FedEx, as it has so often in emergencies with Direct Relief, has taken such a huge step to help Filipinos who have survived a brutal event and are in critical need of assistance."
In addition to the shipment of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals departing this week, FedEx also teamed up with Water Missions International earlier in November to deliver two “Living Water Treatment Systems” capable of filtering more than 5,000 gallons of water per day. Those water treatment systems are now in use in the Philippines to meet the vital needs of those impacted by Typhoon Haiyan.
To learn more about FedEx’s disaster relief efforts in the Philippines, visithttp://blog.fedex.com/TyphoonHaiyanRelief
About FedEx Corp.
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $45 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand.
Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 300,000 team members to remain "absolutely, positively" focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit news.fedex.com.
About Direct Relief
Direct Relief is a leading medical relief organization, active in all 50 U.S. states and 70 countries. It works with more than 1,000 health clinics across the U.S. to assist in emergencies and an ongoing basis, providing them with free medications for people in need. Direct Relief is among the largest medical suppliers to Haiti in response to the 2010 earthquake, has top charity ratings, including four-star and "top notch" rating from Charity Navigator, and a 99% fundraising efficiency rating from Forbes magazine. For more information, visit www.DirectRelief.org.
About Heart to Heart International
Heart to Heart International is a non-profit humanitarian medical aid, training and disaster relief non-governmental organization (NGO) that is committed to connecting people and resources to a world in need. Since its founding in 1992, Heart to Heart International has delivered medical aid and supplies worth more than $1 billion to more than 150 countries, including the U.S. Heart to Heart International responds to crises and natural disasters both domestically and internationally by supplying medical relief and mobilizing volunteers. Heart to Heart International broadens access to healthcare by providing continuing medical education opportunities and lab standards training around the US and the globe, and works with U.S. safety-net clinics to help increase their capacity by providing medical equipment, supplies and volunteers that are vital to operations. The organization has been named to Forbes magazine's “America’s
200 Largest Charities”, the “Philanthropy 400” and is a Charity Navigator 4-Star charity three years in a row. For more information on its programs and ways to get involved, visit hearttoheart.org and find Heart to Heart International on Facebook.