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SHENZHEN, China, May 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hearing firsthand
from its customers and 5,500 associates affected by the recent China
earthquakes, Wal-Mart has increased its pledge for relief to more than RMB
20 million (USD $3 million), to be used for community reconstruction. In
the meantime, the company will vigorously explore the possibility of
setting up a Wal-Mart foundation in China to help extend the company's
long-term disaster relief efforts.
In the days following the disaster, Wal-Mart, Trust-Mart and Wal-Mart
Global Procurement together shipped more than 30 truckloads of emergency
supplies to the devastated area and have assisted with logistics to help
deliver goods. In addition, partnering with more than 200 suppliers, it
held a nationwide charity sale outside its China Wal-Mart and Trust-Mart
stores, with proceeds going to support the earthquake victims. The
company's customers and associates in China and around the world also have
given millions of RMB in support.
"I am so proud of how our Wal-Mart, Trust-Mart and Global Procurement
associates responded in true Wal-Mart fashion with urgency and speed to
help those in need," said Ed Chan, President and CEO Wal-Mart China. "As I
have spoken with our associates about all their efforts, their response has
always been, 'It's my duty.'"
While 15 stores were closed immediately after the earthquake, as of
today only one store, located in Dujiangyan city, remains closed due to
damage. Fortunately, Wal-Mart has now located all its associates, but more
than 500 associates have either lost their homes or have severely damaged
houses.
"During this time of hardship and sorrow, it has been amazing to see
the support we have received from our Wal-Mart family around the world"
Chan said. "Customers and associates from around the globe have really
stepped up to help in a time of need."
Wal-Mart began its retail operations in China in 1996 when it opened a
Supercenter and Sam's Club in Shenzhen. Neighborhood Markets soon followed,
and in February 2007, Wal-Mart China invested in the hypermarket chain
Trust-Mart, which operates more than 100 retail units. In total, Wal-Mart
and Trust-Mart [1] [2] 下一页
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