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Walmart commits USD5m in response to Japan earthquake

Walmart on Tuesday announced an initial commitment of USD5 million in cash and in-kind donations for emergency relief efforts in response to the tragic 9.0 magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami that have left thousands dead and tens of thousands homeless in Japan.

Also, Walmart operations around the world are planning or have implemented fundraising drives among associates and customers to provide additional relief funds for the victims.

Within the first three days following the earthquake and tsunami, Walmart associates, working across Japan, quickly took action to help by setting up distribution points for relief items in store parking lots when the stores themselves were too damaged to open. In the immediate aftermath, Walmart’s stores and distribution centres provided in-kind donations to the victims including water, food and sanitary items.

"With the impact of this earthquake on our own communities, customers, associates and suppliers, we wanted to reach out with assistance as soon as possible," said Scott Price, executive vice president, president and CEO of Walmart Asia.

Price added that Walmart was also mounting a full scale operation to get additional relief supplies into Japan.

The supplies include 95 tons of water, acrylic blankets, tents, warm clothes, fleece, portable toilets, flashlights, batteries, and other necessary relief items.

"Our operations in Japan are actively engaged in providing assistance on the ground, and we’re continuing to monitor the situation and look for additional ways that we can help with the relief efforts," added Toru Noda, president and CEO, Walmart Japan. He added that since the disaster struck Walmart associates were working around the clock to keep supply going to the Seiyu stores in Japan which had become a lifeline for local communities.