Avon Commits $1 Million to Haiti Relief

Avon Products, Inc. committed $1 million to support disaster relief efforts in Haiti. The company said that the money will be donated through the Avon Foundation for Women, and will be distributed to the American Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders, two organizations that are deeply involved in efforts to aid victims of the January 12 earthquake.

The company said that the Foundation plans to distribute the $1 million as follows:

* $500,000 to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, the humanitarian organization that provides relief to victims of disasters; the agency is working closely with Haitian Red Cross to assist those affected by this disaster.

* $500,000 to Doctors Without Borders, the international medical humanitarian organization that has already assisted more than 1,000 people on the ground in Haiti and has committed to continuing to provide critically-needed medical services.

“We are deeply saddened by the devastation caused to our neighbors in Haiti by the recent earthquake,” said Andrea Jung, Avon’s chairman and chief executive officer. “Disaster relief has long been a critical component of Avon’s philanthropy. I believe it is our responsibility as a global corporate citizen to lend our support to the relief efforts aiding the people of Haiti.”

In addition, the company said that its North America business is planning to launch other initiatives to further assist the victims of the earthquake, including donations from product sales.