UPS moves medical supplies to support Haitian earthquake relief

UPS Canada transports $200,000 of medical supplies on behalf of World Vision

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Jan. 22 /CNW/ - UPS Canada shipped $200,000 worth of donated medical supplies on behalf of World Vision Canada .

"UPS's assistance in helping get these much-needed supplies to Haiti is critical to our relief efforts there," says Dave Toycen, president and CEO of World Vision Canada . "UPS was able to act quickly to help us get these items to the disaster sites. To the earthquake survivors, time is of the essence."

The medical supplies, weighing approximately 7,000 kilograms and consisting of surgical gloves, splints, gauze, and water purification equipment, were shipped from Toronto to Miami , where they were then moved via ocean freight to Haiti . UPS is also lending its expertise in preparing all the required documentation for the shipment, so as to expedite custom clearance by Monday.

Once the supplies arrive in Haiti , World Vision will handle the distribution to Haitian survivors.

"In times like these, UPS Canada feels a profound responsibility to provide our network and logistics expertise to help fast track the movement of aid to those suffering in Haiti ," says Mike Tierney , president of UPS Canada .

In addition to this latest contribution, last week UPS donated more than $1 million US in cash and in-kind support to earthquake relief efforts in Haiti through its charitable arm, The UPS Foundation.

The $1 million donation included $500,000 in cash and up to $500,000 of in-kind services for the shipment of needed supplies. The funds have been divided between The American Red Cross, CARE, UNICEF and other organizations that assist with long-term relief activities.

With a network that extends around the globe, UPS has been a leader in disaster relief and response. In recent years, UPS relief efforts in the Philippines , Samoa , China , Myanmar and across the United States have included warehouse management, transportation network design and supply chain distribution.

In addition to providing financial and in-kind commitments to Haiti relief, UPS is a member of the World Food Programme's (WFP) Logistics Emergency Teams (LETs) and has deployed UPS employees who will act as "loaned" logistics experts to oversee on-site disaster response.

UPS will continue to work closely with relief organizations that are active in the Haiti recovery effort over the coming weeks.

Founded in 1951 and based in Atlanta , Ga., The UPS Foundation's major initiatives include programs that support community safety, non-profit effectiveness, economic and global literacy, environmental sustainability and diversity. The UPS Foundation pursues these initiatives by identifying specific projects where its support can help produce a measurable social impact. In 2008, The UPS Foundation donated $46.9 million to charitable organizations worldwide. Visit community.ups.com for more information about UPS's community involvement.

    
    About World Vision Canada
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World Vision donors support more than 52,000 children in Haiti , including more than 10,800 children sponsored by Canadians. Canadians have donated more than $9 million for World Vision's work in Haiti . For more information, please visit worldvision.ca or call 1-800-268-5528.

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.

For additional information on UPS disaster preparedness, please visit www.pressroom.ups.com/disasterprep.

For further information: Tara Smith, UPS Canada, [phone], [email protected]; Sharon Marshall, World Vision Canada, [phone] ext. 2213, [phone], [email protected]