FedEx and UPS step up to provide hurricane relief

Transport and logistics giants FedEx Corp. and UPS Inc. have stepped in to provide extensive disaster relief aid packages and support following the epic trio of storms that ravaged a half-dozen U.S. Southeast states and Caribbean islands in August and September and the earthquakes that rattled Mexico in September.

Memphis, Tenn.-based FedEx has pledged $3 million in cash and transportation support, leveraging its logistics network to help numerous relief agencies respond to the disasters. The company works with the agencies to deliver supplies such as water treatment systems, blankets, cleanup kits, and comfort kits, FedEx said.

Atlanta-based UPS also announced wide-ranging disaster relief initiatives, including a commitment of $2 million in aid. In addition, the company flew air freighters to Puerto Rico under contract with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to deliver Meals, Ready to Eat (MREs) to victims and is coordinating with the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to deliver tarps, hygiene kits, mosquito nets, liquid containers, and shelter tool kits to storm survivors in Cuba.

"Hurricanes Maria, Irma, and Harvey, together with the earthquake in Mexico, have left behind an almost unprecedented need for humanitarian aid throughout the Caribbean and Southeastern U.S.," said Eduardo Martinez, president of The UPS Foundation, in a statement. "When the International Federation of the Red Cross called to request assistance ... we knew how important it was to answer that call."