Abbott Responds to Devastating Earthquake in Peru
On August 15, 2007, a magnitude 7.9 earthquake hit Peru, 90 miles south of
Lima, causing over 400 deaths and thousands of injuries.
Abbott responded quickly, working closely with relief partners Direct Relief
International and AmeriCares, to provide critical nutritional and
pharmaceutical products to those in affected areas. To date, a total of
approximately $469,000 in product has been donated.
An AmeriCares airlift en route to Peru delivered antibiotics and nutritional
products such as our Pedialyte to their in-country partner, VIDA, who
distributed this within Pisco and Ica, the two most affected areas.
Abbott relief partner Direct Relief International airlifted antibiotics to
Peru on August 16. The shipment was sent to their long-standing partner the
Archdiocese of Lima, which is working with the Instituto Nacional de Defensa
Civil (INDECI) the primary coordinating agency for the government’s relief
efforts.
For each disaster, Abbott works closely with leading international relief
organizations that are on the front lines to identify the products that are
most needed, the appropriate quantity and formulation. These relief partners,
expert at working on the ground directly with disaster victims, convey their
specific requests for the assistance that would be most beneficial.
Abbott is a member of the Partnership for Quality Medical Donations (PQMD),
a non-profit organization dedicated to developing, disseminating, and adhering
to high standards for the donation of medical products. This organization,
whose membership includes companies and relief agencies, adheres to World
Health Organization Guidelines for Drug Donations. Abbott also maintains
corporate standards within our donation program that oftentimes exceed the high
standards adhered to by PQMD.
In 2006, Abbott donated almost $4 million worth of products to victims of
disasters and provided $76 million worth of
product in support of ongoing humanitarian assistance in 98 countries.
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