Germany's Metro Group has launched one of the largest relief campaigns in the company's history, sending a cargo plane to the earthquake-hit country of Haiti filled with relief goods donated by Metro Cash & Carry, Real, Media Markt and Saturn, Galeria Kaufhof and Metro Group Asset Management.
It marks the first time that all Metro Group sales divisions have cooperated over a joint relief operation, with the total value of the aid shipment coming in at €1m.
'The pictures of the destruction and the suffering of the people of Haiti have deeply moved us,' said Metro CEO Eckhard Cordes. 'As a company that takes its corporate social responsibility seriously, it was immediately clear to us that we would help the people in the disaster area. We want to effectively contribute to the reconstruction.'
To put together the aid package, Metro worked closely with non-profit organisation Welthungerhilfe, putting together a list of the key supplies that the people of Haiti urgently needed.
'This support is extraordinary and remarkable,' said Bärbel Dieckmann, president of Welthungerhilfe. 'Especially now, when many reporters have already left the country, the population urgently needs our sustained support over the next months. Metro Group sets a good example.'
A second cargo flight is planned for early March, according to Metro.
