NEW CANAAN, Conn., July 3, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- AmeriCares, the international disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization, and ExxonMobil, the world's premier petroleum and petrochemical company, have partnered to aid earthquake victims in Peru. The earthquake, which struck on June 23, killed more than 100 people, injured 1,300, and left more than 45,000 people homeless.
ExxonMobil has donated $25,000 to be used toward the purchase of blankets, food supplies and additional relief aid. The supplies will be shipped with an AmeriCares disaster relief module this week. AmeriCares has been working with local partners in Peru since the earthquake struck on June 23. This will mark the third shipment of relief materials to head to the devastated area
"Our concern for the people of Peru has been ongoing and deeply felt," said Robert C. Macauley, Founder and Chairman of AmeriCares. "ExxonMobil has once again come forward to generously donate the purchase of essential relief materials for people who have lost everything."
"Our thoughts are with the people of Peru who are in desperate need of assistance. We applaud AmeriCares for its immediate response and believe it is important to help them continue to provide the practical assistance needed," said Hal Cramer, President of ExxonMobil Fuels Marketing Company. "With almost 200 employees and 800 contractors living in Peru, this disaster is extremely personal."
ExxonMobil has been a steadfast supporter of AmeriCares and the Peruvian people, aiding AmeriCares relief efforts after a 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck the nation in November 1996 and in response to El Nino in 1998.
ExxonMobil is a leading global petroleum and petrochemicals company whose subsidiaries have operations in more than 200 countries. Additional information can be found at www.exxonmobil.com.
AmeriCares is the nonprofit international disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization, which provides immediate response to emergency medical needs, and supports long-term healthcare programs, for people around the world, irrespective of race, creed or political persuasion. Since its inception in 1982, AmeriCares has delivered more than $2.9 billion in aid to 137 nations worldwide. Please help us to continue our relief efforts by sending your cash donations to AmeriCares, 161 Cherry Street, New Canaan, CT 06840 or by calling AmeriCares at (800) 486-HELP or logging onto www.americares.org.
To arrange for media interviews, please call Elizabeth Griffin at (203) 972-5552.
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CONTACT: AmeriCares, New Canaan
Elizabeth Griffin
(800) 486-HELP
ExxonMobil
Cynthia Piedra
011-511-966-9454