Business Shows Strong Support for Haiti Relief and Recovery Efforts

(New York, 21 January 2010) – Business.un.org, the new UN-Business partnership gateway has quickly shown to be a useful mechanism to facilitate private-sector contributions to the humanitarian and development work of the United Nations. Following the devastating earthquake in Haiti on 12 January, Global Compact participants have to date pledged over USD 9.5 million in both cash and in-kind contributions to support relief and redevelopment efforts in the Caribbean nation. These funds have been allocated both directly to the United Nations and to organizations supporting efforts on the ground (such as the International Red Cross). Aside from cash donations, contributions offered include medical supplies, logistics support, food and water, and solar-powered communications equipment.

Pledges and contributions were made in response to an urgent appeal from the Global Compact Office to over 7,000 participants in 135 countries to direct contributions and offers to the new UN-Business partnership gateway.

Business.un.org allows companies willing to contribute to the United Nations to browse through a catalogue of humanitarian needs and partnership opportunities, or simply to submit ideas for collaboration. Based on shared interests, the site flags potential matches to be then connected directly.

Visit business.un.org, the new UN-business partnership gateway.

Media Contact

Matthias Stausberg
Spokesperson
UN Global Compact
stausberg@un.org
+1-917-367-3423