Disaster Relief

“Like Henry Dunant [the founder of the Red Cross movement], for over 10 years FedEx has been a bold and visionary corporate leader that has tirelessly supported the American Red Cross both here at home and around the globe. Domestically, FedEx has been the literal backbone of our disaster logistics system. Internationally, FedEx has given generously to many international programs and relief efforts, including the Pakistan earthquake, the Climate Center in the Netherlands, the floods in Mexico, and the Regional Disaster Management Units in Dubai, Panama, and Kuala Lumpur. . . .”  -- Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, Chairman, American Red Cross

 

For more than a decade, FedEx has supported the mission of the American Red Cross by ensuring access to relief supplies for victims of disaster through in-kind shipping and storing, financial support, and trained volunteers.

 

Each year, FedEx provides more than $1 million in cash and in-kind support to the organization, and when the Red Cross needs our help, we’re there. We provide free shipping of emergency supplies and employees provide volunteer support. We were recently granted the Circle of Humanitarians Award from the American Red Cross, one of the organization’s highest honors, recognizing companies and individuals whose contributions provide lifesaving support through Red Cross programs. We are also founding members of the Annual Disaster Giving Program. FedEx has committed $6 million from 2008 to 2013 to support the American Red Cross. And FedEx frequently donates additional support in times of disaster. In fact, in 2005, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina we donated an additional $1 million in cash and in-kind support to help replenish the Disaster Relief Fund and move needed supplies.

In 2007, FedEx and the American Red Cross announced a collaboration to help prepare small businesses for a disaster. By leveraging our expertise in contingency planning, our support ensures that small businesses create a plan for their operations and employees, in the event of a disaster. A downloadable disaster-preparedness checklist for small businesses is available at

On a local level, FedEx team members are actively involved in Red Cross operations, from serving as volunteers in their communities to holding leadership positions on chapter and national boards. Specifically, FedEx and the Red Cross are working together in our hometown of Memphis, Tenn. The city has seen a dramatic increase in the number of residential fires over the past year, many of which have affected the city’s growing Hispanic community. To provide this community with the right information and preparation for such disasters, FedEx provided the funding to print the Red Cross “get ready” books in Spanish. The Red Cross launched an initiative to offer disaster preparedness and first aid and CPR; distribute 25,000 copies of the disaster-preparedness booklet; partner with local churches and organizations; increase the number of emergency shelters and trained Spanish-speaking volunteers; and expand the local base of first aid and CPR instructors, volunteers, and disaster-preparedness presenters.

In 2008, The American Red Cross honored FedEx with its prestigious Henry Dunant International Partnership Excellence Award. This international humanitarian award salutes FedEx and its employees for their long-standing commitment and generous contributions in support of the international Red Cross mission.

 

For more information, visit .