Abbott Statement

Abbott Contributes to Disaster Relief Efforts in China and Myanmar

Abbott and Abbott Fund to Provide U.S. $1.5 Million in Funding and Life-Saving Medicines and Nutritional Products

 

Updated May 16, 2008 from original May 14, 2008 statement.

Abbott Park, Illinois — Abbott and its philanthropic foundation Abbott Fund are providing U.S. $1.5 million in humanitarian aid in response to the earthquake in Sichuan Province in China and Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar. Abbott is working with its humanitarian aid organization partners with an established presence on the ground in China and Myanmar. Abbott is providing grant funding to strengthen the organizations' abilities to distribute relief supplies to people in need. Abbott product donations include critical pharmaceutical and nutritional products that can provide immediate relief and support ongoing recovery efforts.

In China, Abbott is providing $1 million in funding and product donations, working with trusted relief partners Heart to Heart International and Project HOPE, and in collaboration with the Chinese Government. Abbott product donations, including antibiotics, rehydration solutions and adult nutritional products, will be distributed as part of rapid relief shipments to local hospitals and health care facilities. In addition, Abbott's China-based employees are donating part of their paychecks to support the relief efforts of the Red Cross Society of China.

In Myanmar, Abbott is providing $500,000 in funding and product donations, partnering with AmeriCares, CARE, Direct Relief International and Heart to Heart International to provide urgent relief to the people of Myanmar. Abbott product donations include antibiotics and vitamins. An initial product shipment has already arrived in the country.

Abbott will continue to work with our key humanitarian aid partners to assess needs on the ground and provide support for ongoing relief efforts.

The Clara Abbott Foundation, a separate not-for-profit organization managed and funded separately from Abbott, is helping support Abbott employees and their families impacted by this disaster in China. The Foundation is providing emergency financial assistance to those who can't meet basic living needs such as food, clothing and shelter.

About Abbott and Abbott Fund

As part of its commitment to responsible global citizenship, Abbott has a long history of providing humanitarian relief around the world. In 2007, Abbott and Abbott Fund provided more than $385 million in grants and product donations to improve the lives of millions of people worldwide, including supporting medical missions and other global humanitarian efforts in more than 98 countries.

Abbott (NYSE: ABT) is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The company employs more than 68,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries.

Abbott Fund is a philanthropic foundation established by Abbott in 1951. Abbott Fund's mission is to create healthier global communities by investing in creative ideas that promote science, expand access to health care and strengthen communities worldwide. For more information on Abbott Fund, visit www.abbottfund.org.

 

Media: Kurt Ebenhoch

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